The NFL continues to broaden its pool of minority stakeholders, as team owners approved four new equity sales during their spring meeting in Minnesota this week — including another private equity transaction involving Arctos Partners.
Arctos Partners Increases Presence in the NFL
Arctos Partners, a private equity firm already holding a 10% stake in the Buffalo Bills, has acquired an additional 8% of the Los Angeles Chargers, marking the NFL’s third approved private equity investment since the league opened its doors to such entities in 2023. This growing financial footprint reinforces Arctos’ position as a key player in shaping the business landscape of the NFL.
“Arctos’ track record in major professional sports speaks for itself,” said Chargers owner Dean Spanos. “We are grateful for their alignment moving forward during this time of tremendous growth for our organization.”
New Stakeholders Approved
In addition to the Chargers deal, NFL owners also greenlit three more ownership transactions:
- San Francisco 49ers: A roughly 6% stake was sold to the families of tech investors Vinod Khosla, William Griffith, and Byron Deeter. This transaction, reportedly valuing the 49ers at $8.6 billion, represents the highest valuation for any North American professional sports franchise to date.
- Cleveland Browns: Charles Woodson, Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Fox NFL analyst, has purchased 0.1% of the team. As a condition of the sale, Woodson must remove his name and likeness from any alcohol brands he is associated with and abide by media restrictions similar to those faced by Tom Brady — including exclusion from pregame production meetings.
- Miami Dolphins: Existing minority partner and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai has sold 1.1% of his stake in the Dolphins to a group of private businessmen. Tsai, who joined the Dolphins’ ownership group less than six months ago, retains nearly 2% of the team.
Soaring Valuations Drive New Investment Opportunities
These stake sales reflect the escalating valuations of NFL franchises and the increasing appeal of ownership — even at a minority level — to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. As values climb, minority owners are seizing opportunities to gain liquidity or redistribute stakes within elite circles.
Private Equity’s Evolving Role in the NFL
While Arctos continues to make headlines, other approved private equity firms are also active. Ares Management, which also holds a stake in the Dolphins, and Sixth Street Group are among the few firms greenlit by the NFL. Meanwhile, Blackstone and CVC have exited a consortium originally approved for team investment deals. That consortium still includes the Carlyle Group, Dynasty Equity, and Ludis Capital — the latter founded by Hall of Famer Curtis Martin.
As the NFL’s financial ecosystem continues to evolve, these ownership shifts mark a significant transition toward broader investor participation — both from the private sector and prominent individuals within the sports industry.
