Happy Midweek, !

This week we dive into the Economics of Sports, a trillion-dollar space and how Private Equity is taking the lead in sports growth.

We also dive into how Maria Sharapova turned a $500K investment into a $187M candy empire, leveraging branding, social media, and smart strategy to win in business.

NCAA athletics is a multi-billion-dollar space with growing investment opportunities in NIL deals, sponsorships, performance analytics, and the expanding market for women’s sports.

The U.S. plant-based protein supplement market is set to more than double to $2.3B by 2034, driven by shifting consumer diets, innovation, and strong investment potential.

—Sports150 Team

The Trillion-Dollar Match: Sports as Wall Street’s Next Big Asset

The global sports industry is putting up MVP numbers, growing from $462B in 2023 to a projected $1T+ by 2033 (CAGR: 7.48%). With private equity doubling down, 2024 saw $31.64B in deals, led by Silver Lake’s $21.49B takeover of Endeavor.

The NFL’s decision to open the door (slightly) to PE funds is another game-changer. Investors can now own up to 10% of a team—not exactly a controlling stake, but a massive shift for the league. Meanwhile, women’s sports are surging, with NWSL teams selling for record numbers.

The bottom line? Sports are no longer just entertainment—they're prime investment assets, and Wall Street knows it. The question is, how long before teams start trading like stocks?

Premium Perks

Since you are an Executive Subscriber, you get access to all the full length reports our research team makes every week. Interested in learning all the hard data behind the article? If so, this report is just for you.

Want to check the other reports? Access the Report Repository here.

Big Money, Big Screens: The Multi-Billion Dollar Sports Media Gold Rush

The battle for premium sports media rights has never been more competitive, with the top U.S. sports TV contracts now commanding up to $1.8 billion annually. The NFL remains the undisputed king of live sports, securing five of the top six deals across platforms like CBS ($1.3B), NBC ($1.2B), and even YouTube ($1.4B) for its Sunday Ticket package. Meanwhile, the NBA’s TNT deal leads all sports at $1.8 billion, signaling that high-stakes renewals for major leagues will continue to drive valuations even higher.

While traditional networks remain dominant, tech giants like YouTube’s $1.4B NFL deal show that digital platforms are now major players in sports broadcasting. Streaming services are aggressively expanding into live sports, positioning themselves as the next frontier for rights negotiations. As sports betting, direct-to-consumer models, and international expansion further fuel demand, investors should be closely watching how new bidders disrupt the balance of power in sports media.

For those looking at sports as an asset class, media rights represent the backbone of league revenues and franchise valuations. With the NBA’s media deal up for renewal and the Olympics continuing to drive multi-billion-dollar agreements, the next decade of sports investment will be shaped by the evolving landscape of broadcast rights and digital disruption. Those who anticipate the next wave of distribution shifts will be best positioned to capitalize on sports’ most lucrative revenue engine.

Sponsored Content

Optimize Your Wealth Like You Optimize Deals.

Most people think wealth management is just about investments.

But why do we only focus on the market while ignoring taxes, equity, estate planning, and cash flow?

Your wealth is more than just your portfolio—it’s your entire financial picture. That’s why Range built a modern, all-in-one platform that helps high-earning households manage everything from investments to taxes, real estate, and equity compensation—all for a single flat fee.

After years of working with top executives, self-employed professionals, and investors frustrated with piecemeal solutions, Range developed a smarter way to manage wealth. Their innovative model combines fiduciary advisors with a state-of-the-art platform, delivering seamless, personalized financial guidance that actually fits your life.

And even if you already have a financial planner, you’d be surprised how much Range can optimize your strategy. They take care of the complex moving parts, so you can focus on what really matters—growing and protecting your wealth.

Ready for a smarter approach to wealth management? 

Book a complimentary demo today and see how Range helps you unlock the full potential of your money.

Forget Stocks—Buy a Sports Team

If sports franchises were stocks, NBA teams would be the ultimate growth pick. Since 2007, the NBA`s average franchise value has soared 1,090% (16.11% CAGR), outpacing the NFL (534%), MLB (538%), and NHL (633%). Even the S&P 500’s 404% gain looks modest in comparison.

Why the NBA? Global expansion, soaring media rights, and deep-pocketed investors willing to pay a premium for exclusivity. The $4 billion sale of the Phoenix Suns in 2023 was a wake-up call: these aren’t just teams—they’re billionaires’ trophies with long-term appreciation baked in.

The NHL, once an afterthought in franchise valuations, has quietly outperformed the NFL and MLB. Meanwhile, MLB and the NFL remain rock-solid, though their growth rates are steadier.

From Grand Slams to Grand Sales: Sharapova’s Sweet Victory in Business

Maria Sharapova won five Grand Slams, but her biggest win might be in the boardroom. The former world No. 1 didn’t just cash endorsement checks from Nike and Porsche—she built her own empire.

Sugarpova, her candy company, started with a $500K investment and now has a $187M valuation, selling in 22 countries with $20M in annual revenue. Not bad for a “side hustle.”

Her formula? A mix of branding mastery and social media clout (9M+ followers help). She’s also navigating the tricky optics of a top-tier athlete selling sugar to kids, proving that controversy—like a tough opponent—can be managed with smart strategy.

The Economics of NCAA Athletics: A Market Ripe for Investment

With over 522,000 student-athletes competing in the NCAA, college sports represent a massive talent pipeline with significant commercial value. Male athletes continue to outnumber their female counterparts, with 293,105 male student-athletes compared to 229,060 female athletes in 2022. This sheer volume of participation fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry spanning media rights, sponsorships, apparel deals, and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, making college athletics one of the most dynamic sectors for investors.

The rapid rise of NIL deals is shifting the financial landscape, allowing college athletes to monetize their brands and creating new opportunities for businesses, sponsors, and platforms catering to student-athletes. With athletic departments generating millions in revenue, universities are increasingly becoming powerhouses for sports business. Investors looking at the collegiate space should focus on emerging NIL marketplaces, training facilities, performance analytics, and brand partnerships that tap into this growing market.

For those seeking long-term exposure, the continued expansion of women’s sports presents a compelling investment thesis. As female participation grows and media attention increases, expect to see stronger sponsorship deals, dedicated broadcasting agreements, and more commercial interest in women’s collegiate athletics. NCAA sports are no longer just a stepping stone to the pros—they are a financial ecosystem of their own, with untapped potential for those who move early.

Sponsored Content

Optimize Your Wealth Like You Optimize Deals.

Your wealth is more than just your portfolio—it’s your entire financial picture. That’s why Range built a modern, all-in-one platform that helps high-earning households manage everything from investments to taxes, real estate, and equity compensation—all for a single flat fee.

Ready for a smarter approach to wealth management? 

Book a complimentary demo today and see how Range helps you unlock the full potential of your money.

The Real Estate Serve of the Year

Pickleball isn’t just taking over backyards—it’s reshaping commercial real estate. With a staggering 158.6% growth rate in the past three years, America’s fastest-growing sport is breathing new life into vacant retail spaces, repurposed malls, and underutilized properties. Here’s why it makes sense:

• Smaller footprint, higher returns – Pickleball courts require half the space of tennis courts and cost just $30K–$50K to build.

• Skyrocketing demand – There’s only one pickleball court for every 250 players, compared to one tennis court per 30. With over 36.5 million players, developers are racing to keep up.

• Reviving retail spaces – Massive projects like Pickleball America’s 80,000 sq. ft. transformation of a former Saks Fifth Avenue in Connecticut and Picklemall’s 24-court conversion of an Arizona mall are driving foot traffic back to struggling retail hubs.

From shuttered big-box stores like Bed Bath & Beyond to deserted malls, landlords are discovering that pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s a community builder and a strategic play to boost shoppers, tenants, and foot traffic. With demand surging, expect to see more paddles swinging at a mall near you soon.

Protein Goes Green (and Big)

The U.S. plant-based protein supplement market is bulking up—without the meat. The sector is on track to more than double in size, growing from $1B in 2024 to $2.3B by 2034. That’s an 8.48% annual gain, which is more impressive than most gym resolutions.

Why it matters: Consumers are shifting their diets, and investors are following the gains. North America leads the charge, with regulatory-friendly Canada and the protein-hungry U.S. driving demand.

Zoom in: Big players dominate the space, but expect innovation from startups leveraging technology to refine plant-based blends. If margins hold, private equity firms might start eyeing carveouts.

Bottom line: Whether for health, ethics, or sustainability, plant-based protein is flexing its growth potential. And with this trajectory, it’s looking more like a marathon than a sprint.

Love Sports150? Receive the Same Weekly Newsletter For the Private Equity Market!

PE150 delivers proprietary insights, market trends, and actionable tools for Private Equity & M&A professionals—in just one 5 minute weekly email. Subscribe now

eSports: A $9 Billion Industry Investors Can’t Ignore

While esports still faces skepticism from traditional sports purists, the numbers tell a different story—this is a multi-billion-dollar industry on a steep growth trajectory. The global esports market is projected to surge from $2.3 billion in 2023 to $9.2 billion by 2030, representing a 21.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). For an industry once dismissed as a niche hobby, these figures cement its position as a major player in the global sports economy.

What’s fueling this exponential rise? Massive sponsorships, streaming rights, and in-game purchases are creating a financial ecosystem rivaling traditional sports. With live event attendance soaring, franchises securing lucrative partnerships, and major media companies investing in broadcasting rights, esports is no longer just for gaming enthusiasts—it’s an investment-worthy sector with serious commercial potential.

For investors, esports presents a rare opportunity to enter an emerging market before it fully matures. With digital-first engagement models, younger demographics, and an expanding global audience, those who recognize the financial upside early will be best positioned to capitalize on the next phase of sports and entertainment monetization. Whether or not esports is considered a "real sport," the dollars flowing into the space are very real.

"Don't let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning"

Robert Kiyosaki