NFL's Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins in reported talks with investment firms

NFL's Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins in reported talks with investment firms
NFL owners voted in August for private equity funds to own minority stakes.
OCT 30, 2024

When NFL owners voted in August to allow private equity funds to partially own teams, it was never going to be long before investment firms joined the scrimmage.

And it seems that two iconic teams are in talks with potential investors, according to reports from Bloomberg which cite people familiar with the matters. The old rivalry between the two teams now extends to which – if either – will become the first to make history with the first PE minority investor.

A deal appears to be close to the final whistle involving Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and private equity firm Ares Management and billionaire Joe Tsai’s family office Blue Pool Capital. Tsai is chairman and co-founder of the Alibaba Group and owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty.

The report says that the new investors would acquire 10% and 3% stakes in the NFL team and other assets with a total valuation of $8.1 billion including the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium and the F1 Miami Grand Prix. None of the parties involved has commented.

Under the rules agreed by NFL owners, private equity investors can acquire a maximum 10% stake and can invest in a maximum six teams. The percentage ownership is well below the 30% allowed by the NBA, MLB and NHL.

The other talks being reported by Bloomberg are between representatives of the Buffalo Bills and investment firm Arctos Partners. The team is owned by billionaire Terry Pegula who also owns NHL team Buffalo Sabres.

A spokesperson for the Buffalo Bills commented only that “any potential investor cannot be confirmed or finalized until it is approved by the NFL.” Arctos Partners has not commented.

Latest News

The power of cultivating personal connections
The power of cultivating personal connections

Relationships are key to our business but advisors are often slow to engage in specific activities designed to foster them.

A variety of succession options
A variety of succession options

Whichever path you go down, act now while you're still in control.

'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists
'I’ll never recommend bitcoin,' advisor insists

Pro-bitcoin professionals, however, say the cryptocurrency has ushered in change.

LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade
LPL raises target for advisors’ bonuses for first time in a decade

“LPL has evolved significantly over the last decade and still wants to scale up,” says one industry executive.

What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?
What do older Americans have to say about long-term care?

Survey findings from the Nationwide Retirement Institute offers pearls of planning wisdom from 60- to 65-year-olds, as well as insights into concerns.

SPONSORED The future of prospecting: Say goodbye to cold calls and hello to smart connections

Streamline your outreach with Aidentified's AI-driven solutions

SPONSORED A bumpy start to autumn but more positives ahead

This season’s market volatility: Positioning for rate relief, income growth and the AI rebound