Justin Ishbia, founder of private equity firm Shore Capital Partners, has struck a long-term agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox. 

The deal – valued at approximately $1.8bn – positions Ishbia to become majority owner as early as 2029.

Under the agreement, Ishbia has already bought out a number of minority investors and will begin injecting capital into the team this year and next to help reduce debt and support operations. Although controlling ownership could be transferred as early as 2029, Ishbia will have the right to acquire Jerry Reinsdorf’s majority stake if no sale is finalised by the end of the 2034 season.

Velocity Capital Management has partnered with Elevate and the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation to launch a $500m fund targeting commercial and infrastructure investments across US college sports.

The new vehicle, known as the Collegiate Investment Initiative, will provide long-term capital and strategic support to universities navigating the transition to a student-athlete revenue-sharing model. The initiative follows a recent $2.8bn settlement clearing the way for annual athlete compensation of up to $20.5m per school.

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Partners Group has agreed to EQT is reportedly preparing a bid worth approximately £500m ($675m) to acquire WRC Promoter, the commercial rights holder of the World Rally Championship (WRC), according to Sky News.

The potential deal would mark a rare move by the Swedish private equity firm into the global sports sector.

WRC Promoter, currently owned by Red Bull and German investment group KW25, appointed JPMorgan Chase in mid-2024 to explore a sale. While WRC declined to comment, sources suggest EQT is one of several firms evaluating an offer.

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Broadsword Investment Management has acquired a majority stake in Powerleague, the UK’s largest five-a-side football operator, in a deal that will accelerate the company’s growth and diversification into new sports. 

Powerleague, founded in Paisley and currently operating 43 clubs across the UK with nine million annual customers, will retain its existing management team post-transaction. The business also manages over 250 third-party venues offering football and netball, and earlier this year announced plans to add padel tennis to nearly half of its sites.

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