• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Native American PE Firm Makes $154M Bet on Premier League Team

  • Bright Path Sports Partners acquired a 44% stake in Ipswich Town FC.
  • The team was promoted two years in a row to join the Premier League this season.
Premier League

Bright Path Sports Partners is the latest U.S. private equity firm betting on an English soccer club.

The Cleveland-based firm—whose mission is to infuse Native American capital into sports—closed a $154 million deal Aug. 13 to acquire 44% of Gamechanger 20 Ltd., which owns Ipswich Town FC, a Premier League club, according to Crain’s Cleveland Business. Controlling stake of the club will remain with holding firm ORG led by Ed Schwartz.

Ipswich was in League One, the third tier league of English soccer, as recently as the 2022–2023 season, but returned to the Premier League this year for the first time since 2002 after being promoted two years in a row.

When Bright Path’s investment was first announced in March, the deal was worth at most $133 million—and it was still unclear whether Ipswich was going to qualify for promotion. The team secured its promotion May 4, the final day of the Championship. It added another estimated $21 million in investment due to “overwhelming interest,” a Bright Path spokesperson tells Front Office Sports

The additional investment came from Avenue Sports Fund, managed by former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, and VSV ITFC owned by the Viola family, owners of the Florida Panthers.

Risky Business

While the promotion to the Premier League is celebratory for the team, the risk of relegation back to the Championship is on the table this year. The team has started the season 0–2, though the losses were to powerhouses Manchester City and Liverpool.

A team’s ability to stay in the Premier League can make or break its financial standing. In 2022–2023, the average revenue for a Premier League team excluding the “big six” clubs was $243 million, compared to just $41 million for Championship clubs, according to Deloitte.

But Bright Path’s spokesperson tells FOS that the investment was “untethered” to which division the team was competing in, and stressed that the investment was for the “long term.”

“It’s definitely something you take into consideration as part of your diligence,” Bright Path managing partner Phillip Ciano told Crain. “But investing in sports is inherently risky, like every investment.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid CF forward Kylian Mbappe (9) reacts after a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

CVC Builds Out Sports Division Amid Crowded PE Market

The firm’s sports portfolio is reportedly worth $13.6 billion.

Sling TV’s Day Passes Spark Another Sports-Centric Legal Battle

The disruptive programming options generate a second lawsuit in as many weeks.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.
September 15, 2025

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.
September 16, 2025

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 15, 2025

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.