VanEck Video Gaming & eSports ETF $ESPO ( ▲ 1.46% )
$121.36 | +45.4% YTD | +60.0% LTM
ETF soared on blockbuster gaming M&A, sector-wide earnings growth, and surging institutional flows into esports equities.

Juventus Fan Token $JUV.X ( ▲ 1.33% )
€2.74 | +9.3% YTD | +13.2% LTM
Shares up on commercial momentum, improved UEFA revenues, and global brand partnerships.

Fitbit $GOOGL ( ▲ 0.64% )
$246.43 | +30.2% YTD | +48.8% LTM
Growth fueled by device integration, AI fitness expansion, and steady consumer demand for wearables.

Genius Sports $GENI ( ▲ 1.37% )
$11.94 | +38.0% YTD | +62.0% LTM
Jumped on global data partnerships and fan engagement tech.

Zebra Technologies $ZBRA ( ▲ 1.35% )
$295.85 | +23.4% YTD | +31.0% LTM
Strong year powered by record NFL partnerships and broad MotionWorks™ tracking adoption.

Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s most influential sports gaming companies, is set to be acquired in a $55 billion leveraged buyout by private equity powerhouse Silver Lake Partners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Affinity Partners. This blockbuster transaction not only ends EA’s 36-year tenure as a public company, but also rewrites the record books as the largest gaming industry buyout of all time, eclipsing Microsoft’s $69B Activision Blizzard acquisition.

From a business of sport perspective, the deal signals the rising momentum of institutional and sovereign capital in reshaping the landscape of digital sports entertainment. With EA’s FIFA, Madden NFL, and Formula 1 titles at the core of the company’s portfolio, direct exposure to sports IP and fan engagement has made the company an attractive asset class for investors seeking scalable digital properties and recurring revenue streams. Silver Lake’s strategy of targeting under-monetized tech and media assets underscores the broader trend of private equity seeking operational flexibility, and the chance to push long-term value plays away from public market scrutiny.

With EA experiencing flat revenues ($7.4–$7.6B) amid intensified competition from both console giants and mobile-first upstarts, the move to private ownership is positioned as a catalyst for bold restructuring, cost optimization, and innovation. Investors are betting that, freed from quarterly market pressures, the new owners can better navigate rapid shifts in e-sports, mobile gaming, and in-game monetisation, while aggressively investing in emerging technologies.

We will watch EA’s “private capital playbook” closely, as it may prompt further M&A activity and partnerships in both gaming and traditional sports ventures. For sports investors, the deal highlights the continued convergence between digital entertainment, intellectual property, and the broader sports investment universe, setting new benchmarks for both valuation multiples and the strategic importance of gaming as part of the sports business ecosystem.

New England Patriots Set NFL Valuation Record:

The Patriots have agreed to sell an 8% stake - 3% to Sixth Street $TSLX ( ▲ 1.6% ) and 5% to Dean Metropoulos, at a franchise valuation topping $9 billion, the second-highest in NFL history and just behind the Giants’ recent $10B mark. The deal highlights soaring investor demand for sports asset exposure, the impact of private equity’s entry into the NFL, and the Kraft family’s ongoing commitment to reinvest proceeds into the team’s future.

United Spirits Considers $2B Royal Challengers Bangalore Exit:

Sun TV shares surged amid speculation that United Spirits may sell its stake in IPL powerhouse Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at a valuation close to $2 billion. If completed, the deal could reset the IPL’s franchise value benchmarks and shine a spotlight on how sports team investments drive broader company valuations, notably benefiting Sunrisers Hyderabad within Sun TV’s portfolio.

Nissan Reviews Future of Yokohama F. Marinos Stake:

Nissan Motor is reportedly exploring a possible sale of its stake in Yokohama F. Marinos, one of the J.League’s (Japan) leading clubs. The move signals shifting priorities for corporates invested in team ownership, with Nissan reassessing its sports portfolio as broader market trends redefine the value of strategic sports assets.

NBA Africa League Drives Continent-Wide Expansion:

The NBA’s Basketball Africa League is launching 12 permanent franchises across the continent, each paired with new state-of-the-art home arenas. This sweeping infrastructure investment paves the way for the league’s next era of growth and sets the stage for ambitious intercontinental events like the proposed NBA Cup, highlighting the growing global value of major sports venue projects.

Phoenix Mercury Bets Big on Player Facilities:

Owner Mat Ishbia has unveiled a $100M practice and training complex in downtown Phoenix, instantly setting a new benchmark for women’s professional sports infrastructure. The team’s investment has drawn praise for elevating athlete experience and establishing Phoenix as a premier free agent destination, reinforcing the business case for strategic upgrades in women’s sport.

NFL Brings Big-League Football to Rio:

Beginning in 2026, the NFL will host regular season games at Maracanã Stadium, expanding its international footprint and cementing Brazil as the league’s #2 market outside the US. The move is expected to deliver major boosts in local tourism, job creation, and global brand engagement as the NFL doubles down on geographic growth and stadium activation.

McLaren Racing Supercharges it’s Sponsorship Roster:

McLaren Racing has landed a high-profile deal with AI innovator Groq, whose technology will drive faster, data-driven decision-making on the track, with branding set to debut at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend. At the same time, McLaren extended its global partnership with Jack Daniel’s, launching collaborative limited-edition whiskeys and high-impact fan activations around F1 events. The rivalry in the paddock is set to heat up as Cadillac’s new F1 team brings Jim Beam into the series as its official spirits partner, injecting new energy and competition into the sport’s booming sponsorship landscape.

Netflix Makes it’s Debut in Live Sports Broadcasting:

Netflix has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the MLB Home Run Derby and Opening Game in 2026, joining NBC/Peacock in a new era of fragmented sports media deals. The move positions Netflix as a major player in live events and signals a strategic shift in how blue-chip sports properties are packaged for digital-first audiences, marking a milestone for streaming’s dominance in sports media.

Movistar Plus Elevates Women’s Basketball with EuroLeague Women:

Spain’s Movistar Plus has clinched exclusive live rights for EuroLeague Women, boosting its subscriber offering and positioning the platform at the forefront of women’s sports coverage. This deal amplifies visibility and commercial opportunities across female basketball, further embedding premium sports content within Movistar’s media strategy.

TVRI Secures Landmark FIFA World Cup 2026 Rights for Indonesia:

Indonesia’s public broadcaster TVRI has officially won the rights to air the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time since 1998 that the national network will host the tournament. With over 80 live matches set to be broadcast free-to-air, the agreement bolsters public access, fuels football engagement nationwide, and signals the rapid progress of regional sports broadcasting strategies ahead of the World Cup.

WNBA Locks in a Landmark Media Deal with Versant:

The WNBA has landed an 11-year partnership with Versant, delivering at least 50 regular season games and expanded playoff coverage on USA Network through 2036. The agreement debuts Wednesday night doubleheaders and studio coverage, marking a substantial leap in broadcast reach and commercial growth for the league. This signals intensifying interest from both fans and media partners as women’s basketball cements itself at the forefront of the digital streaming era.

NBA Boosts Innovation with AWS Partnership:

The NBA has doubled down on technology by expanding its partnership with AWS to deliver next-generation digital fan experiences and support cloud-powered broadcast infrastructure. The long-term alliance positions the NBA to lead in live content delivery, data-driven storytelling, and operational excellence, further future-proofing the league’s global business strategy.

BlockDAG Makes a High-Octane Entrance into F1:

BlockDAG has partnered with the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team as its exclusive blockchain partner, marking a new frontier for crypto in global motorsport. Debuting at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, BlockDAG blends its cutting-edge blockchain tech with the reach and energy of Formula 1, creating fan activations, simulators, and live tech showcases across race weekends. Backed by a blockbuster $415M presale and a fast-growing user base, BlockDAG’s Alpine tie-up spotlights how sports sponsorship is accelerating crypto’s path to mass adoption, with both camps chasing scale, innovation, and broader audience connection.