Sports & Entertainment Private Equity Firms in North America

A-Rod Corp is the single-family office founded by former Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Alex Rodriguez. Established in 2003 while Rodriguez was still playing professional baseball, the firm has evolved into a dynamic investment platform with diversified interests across real estate, venture capital, and private equity. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, A-Rod Corp began as a real estate investment company and quickly grew into a powerhouse with a portfolio spanning over 15,000 multifamily residential units across 13 states in the U.S. The firm’s real estate strategy focuses on value-add opportunities, primarily targeting Class B and C properties with strong repositioning potential. Beyond real estate, A-Rod Corp has expanded into private equity and venture capital, investing in sectors such as fitness, wellness, media, fintech, and consumer goods. Notable investments include stakes in UFC Gym, Petros Pace Finance, Hims & Hers, and Acorns. The company often partners with institutional investors, family offices, and strategic operating partners to co-invest in scalable businesses. Alex Rodriguez plays an active role as Chairman and CEO, leveraging his brand and network to identify high-potential companies and add strategic value. His approach blends celebrity influence with disciplined investment strategies, making A-Rod Corp a unique player in the family office landscape. A-Rod Corp also includes a media and entertainment division, developing content across film, television, and digital platforms. Through this arm, Rodriguez continues to build his legacy as both an athlete-turned-entrepreneur and a cultural icon.

Avenue Capital Group, founded in 1995 by Marc Lasry and Sonia Gardner, is a globally active investment firm specializing in distressed debt, special situations, and opportunistic credit. With combined private and public credit and equity strategies, Avenue targets complex and illiquid credit opportunities in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. Since inception, the firm has deployed over US $100 billion across global investments using a rigorous, research-driven methodology focused on value preservation and capital appreciation. Avenue’s platform includes dedicated strategies such as credit opportunities, real estate, growth lending, and sports finance—supported by experienced specialists and robust in-house infrastructure. As of year-end 2023, Avenue managed approximately US $13 billion in assets and employed over 180 professionals globally. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains investment offices in Dublin, London, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Sydney, Silicon Valley, and Abu Dhabi to support globally integrated credit and special situations capabilities.

Beemok Capital is a private investment firm and family office founded by Charleston businessman and philanthropist Benjamin Navarro. The firm focuses on creating opportunities and fostering community connections through a diverse portfolio of investments. Their strategic areas include education, sports and entertainment, hospitality, health and wellness, financial services, and real estate development. Beemok Capital aims to revitalize communities and provide exceptional experiences across its various ventures.Founded in 2018 by Benjamin W. Navarro, Beemok Capital was established as a single-family office to manage his investment and philanthropic initiatives. Navarro, also the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group, LLC, which owns Credit One Bank, envisioned a firm that would not only pursue strategic investments but also contribute significantly to community building and social impact, particularly in his home state of South Carolina.Beemok Capital's portfolio includes significant holdings in hospitality, such as the iconic Charleston Place Hotel, Hotel Domestique, Sorelle (an Italian restaurant), The Riviera (an Art Deco theatre), and The Cooper (a luxury waterfront hotel), all managed under Beemok Hospitality Collection. In sports and entertainment, the firm owns and operates major professional tennis tournaments like the Credit One Charleston Open and the Cincinnati Open, having invested substantially in facility renovations. Their real estate endeavors include the Union Pier development in Charleston and the acquisition of the Carroll Building, which was donated to the College of Charleston for a new business school. The firm also has a significant interest in Credit One Bank.The leadership at Beemok Capital is spearheaded by its founder and CEO, Benjamin W. Navarro, who brings extensive experience from his career on Wall Street, including roles at Goldman Sachs and Citicorp, and his leadership of Sherman Financial Group. The team also includes key individuals such as Casey Lavin, President of Beemok Hospitality Group, overseeing the firm's extensive hospitality assets, and Andrea Kindorf, Vice President. Their collective expertise spans finance, real estate, hospitality management, and large-scale event operations, driving the firm's diverse investment and community development strategies.

Harbinger Sports Partners is a private equity fund launched in May 2025, co-founded by Mark Cuban, Steve Cannon, and Rashaun Williams. The fund aims to invest in minority stakes of 1% to 5% in professional sports franchises across the NBA, NFL, and MLB, with individual investments ranging from $50 million to $150 million. The initiative seeks to capitalize on the growing valuations and revenue streams within the sports industry. The leadership team brings a wealth of experience: Mark Cuban, known for his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks and as a "Shark Tank" investor; Steve Cannon, former CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment; and Rashaun Williams, a venture capitalist with investments in companies like Lyft and Coinbase. Their combined expertise positions Harbinger Sports Partners to identify and invest in high-growth opportunities within the sports sector. Harbinger Sports Partners plans to employ a data-driven approach to identify undervalued sports assets, aiming to invest in up to 92 franchises. The fund's exit strategy involves using secondary offerings to sell positions within seven to ten years, providing liquidity and returns to its investors.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) is a premier global sports and entertainment company founded in 2017 by Josh Harris and David Blitzer. Headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, HBSE was formed through the unification of the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and the New Jersey Devils (NHL), and has since grown into a multifaceted organization that includes ownership, management, and operation of several major league teams and venues. HBSE’s mission is to innovate in the sports, entertainment, and real estate arenas while leveraging its platforms for community impact and global brand reach. HBSE owns and manages a portfolio that includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, the Prudential Center arena in Newark, the Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League), the Utica Comets (AHL), and a WNBA expansion franchise set to launch in Philadelphia in 2025. In addition to traditional team ownership, HBSE invests in the future of sports through ventures such as New Meta Entertainment (parent company of Dignitas esports), and HBSE Ventures, which focuses on strategic investments in sports tech, data analytics, and fan engagement startups. The company also operates HBSE Real Estate, which supports development of arenas, sports complexes, and urban revitalization projects. With a staff of over 170 professionals and approximately $12 billion in assets, HBSE is a vertically integrated organization bridging elite sports properties with entertainment and community development. Its executive team emphasizes long-term value creation, civic leadership, and inclusion. Through partnerships, philanthropy, and high-profile investments, HBSE remains a key player in transforming sports franchises into holistic lifestyle brands and engines of economic and social growth in their host cities and beyond.

LRMR Ventures is the single-family office of NBA legend LeBron James, established in 2006 in partnership with his longtime friend and business associate Maverick Carter. The firm serves as the strategic investment and brand management arm of LeBron James’ off-court empire, overseeing his business ventures, equity stakes, and media initiatives. Based in Akron, Ohio, with a presence in Los Angeles and New York, LRMR Ventures has been at the forefront of redefining the athlete-entrepreneur model. The company has executed landmark deals and investments in diverse sectors including sports, media, consumer products, wellness, and tech. Notable early investments include stakes in Beats by Dre (prior to its acquisition by Apple), Blaze Pizza, and Fenway Sports Group (owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC). LRMR is also closely affiliated with The SpringHill Company, a media conglomerate founded by James and Carter that merges entertainment, storytelling, and brand partnerships. SpringHill has produced acclaimed content, including “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and the HBO series “The Shop.” The firm secured a major investment round in 2021, valuing the company at over $725 million. In addition to its media and investment activities, LRMR plays a pivotal role in managing LeBron’s brand portfolio and philanthropic ventures, including the I PROMISE School and the LeBron James Family Foundation. Through a combination of cultural capital, strategic vision, and long-term focus, LRMR Ventures exemplifies the evolution of athlete-led family offices into powerful and multifaceted business platforms.

Otro Capital is a private equity firm headquartered in New York City, founded in July 2023 by Alec Scheiner, Brent Stehlik, Niraj Shah, and Isaac Halyard. The founding partners collectively bring over 70 years of experience investing and operating within the sports, media, entertainment, and gaming sectors. The firm focuses on acquiring cash-flow positive assets with strong intellectual property, leveraging its team’s operational expertise to drive growth.Otro Capital targets strategic businesses primarily within the sports industry, including ownership stakes in high-profile assets such as Alpine Racing, a Formula 1 team. The firm actively supports portfolio companies through operational involvement and commercial growth strategies, aiming to unlock value in undercapitalized segments of the sports ecosystem.The leadership team includes seasoned professionals with backgrounds in sports operations, private equity, investment banking, and fund management. Notable partners have held executive roles with major sports franchises and investment firms, bringing deep industry knowledge and extensive networks to Otro Capital’s investment approach.

Founded in 2009, Sixth Street is a global investment firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm manages over $110 billion in assets under management and committed capital, offering flexible, long-term capital solutions across various sectors and geographies. Sixth Street operates through diversified investment platforms, including growth equity, direct lending, infrastructure, real estate, and special situations. With a team of more than 650 professionals, including over 280 investment experts, Sixth Street maintains a global presence with offices in key financial centers such as New York, London, Dallas, and Hong Kong. The firm's collaborative culture, known as the "One Team" approach, fosters cross-platform collaboration and innovation, enabling it to identify and capitalize on unique investment opportunities across various sectors and geographies. Sixth Street's diversified investment strategy encompasses a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, sports and media, infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, energy, consumer and retail, industrial services, telecommunications, and entertainment. The firm's commitment to responsible investing and long-term partnerships positions it as a trusted capital partner for businesses seeking strategic growth and transformation.

Thirty Five Ventures (35V) is the single-family office and investment platform co-founded by NBA superstar Kevin Durant and his longtime business partner Rich Kleiman. Established in 2016, 35V serves as the central hub for managing Durant’s off-court business ventures, investments, media projects, and philanthropic initiatives. Headquartered in New York City, Thirty Five Ventures is known for its diversified portfolio, spanning venture capital, early-stage technology startups, sports media, and entertainment production. The firm has invested in more than 100 companies, including high-profile names like Coinbase, Acorns, Robinhood, Postmates, Whoop, and Therabody. Its investment strategy focuses on disruptive, scalable businesses with strong brand potential and long-term value creation. 35V also operates Boardroom, a media network focused on sports business, culture, tech, and entrepreneurship. Through articles, podcasts, video content, and exclusive interviews, Boardroom offers deep insights into the intersections of business and sport, highlighting the growing influence of athletes as investors and entrepreneurs. Durant and Kleiman have also ventured into film and television production, collaborating with major studios and platforms to produce documentaries and scripted content. Notable projects include the ESPN documentary “The Boardroom” and Apple TV+ series “Swagger,” loosely based on Durant’s youth basketball experiences. Thirty Five Ventures exemplifies the modern athlete-led investment model—one that merges branding power with thoughtful capital deployment, media savvy, and cultural influence. The firm’s integrated approach allows it to serve not just as a wealth management tool but as a long-term platform for impact and innovation.