• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Buffalo Bills in Talks to Sell Stake to PE Firm Arctos: Report

  • The Bills have been exploring a minority stake sale for months.
  • Since August, private equity firms can buy up to 10% of NFL teams.
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Arctos Partners could be adding another team to its portfolio. 

The investment firm is in talks to buy a minority stake in the Buffalo Bills, according to Bloomberg, adding the NFL franchise to its growing list of assets, which include Paris Saint-Germain and the PGA Tour

A spokesperson for Arctos declined a request for comment. The Bills did not immediately respond to one. 

Any purchase would not be finalized until it’s approved by the NFL, but Arctos is already on the list of private equity firms allowed to buy stakes in teams, which was approved in August. PE firms can buy up to a 10% stake in a team. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is already taking advantage of the new rule, reportedly selling a 10% stake to Ares, another approved firm and 3% to Nets and Liberty owner Joe Tsai. 

The Bills have been seeking a minority sale since April, when team owner Terry Pegula hired investment bank Allen & Company to explore a transaction. It’s unknown how much the stake is for and its valuation. The Bills are valued at $4.2 billion, according to Forbes, making the franchise the outlet’s least-valuable NFL team. Pegula, who made the bulk of his wealth in natural gas development, is worth roughly $7.6 billion.

As investors scour markets for opportunities, sports has become a definitive asset class. As Arctos noted in a LinkedIn post last month, NFL franchises have consistently grown revenue at a rate of 8.6% a year since 2001 (except for the COVID-19 period). “Not only have they grown revenue, but have been able to do so with very low volatility … relative to other U.S. equity sectors and even done so during periods of economic weakness,” the company wrote.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.

Ejected Yankees Fans Barred From Game 5 of World Series

The fans won’t be back after wrenching a ball from Betts.

NFL TV Ratings Up and Down in October As Election Draws Near

The NFL took an 8% ratings hit around the 2016 presidential cycle.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

How Cooper Flagg Made NIL History

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.
October 25, 2024

Inside The Wall at L.A. Clippers’ New $2B Home

FOS went inside the “contagious” energy at the L.A. Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) shoots a three point jump shot over Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.
October 25, 2024

WNBA Facing 4 Big Business Questions This Offseason

Here’s where the WNBA can consider making upgrades after a historic year.
Jul 7, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in game five to win the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena.

Lightning Sell at $1.8B Valuation, Nearly Double Prior NHL Record

The Lightning unveiled a multistep and multiyear sale process.
Young fans look over Michigan State sports equipment on display during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2024

Private Equity Firms Buy Rival Hockey Brands CCM and Bauer

Both brands have been around for decades and changed ownership in the same week.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
October 9, 2024

Why Mark Cuban Sold the Dallas Mavericks When He Did

Cuban sold his majority stake to the Adelson family in December 2023.
Sponsored

Athlete Archives With Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis grew up idolizing the legends of basketball—now, he’s featured on memorabilia as a legend himself.
September 18, 2024

Rogers Tightens Grip on Canadian Sports With $3.46B MLSE Stake

The Blue Jays owner makes a big move to corner most of the Toronto pro sports market.
Fans watch TV screens during a game viewing party for fans at the FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
September 18, 2024

FanDuel Parent Buys Italian Gambling Company in Bid for Growth

Flutter is making big moves in Italy and Brazil.
September 12, 2024

Team USA’s Uniform Maker Is Shooting for a Long-Term Win

This week’s uniforms are honoring the Armed Forces.
September 5, 2024

Amazon Nears Game-Changing Deal to Stream Bally Sports Content

The online retail and streaming giant nears a long-expected deal to stream most of Diamond Sports Group’s content.