Wednesday, October 21, 2026

New Era Cap Adds NFL, NBA, MLB As Investors

  • ACON Investments closed a single-asset continuation round of around $700 million for New Era Cap.
  • The NFL, NBA, and MLB all became minority investors.
New-Era-Cap
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Hold onto your hats: New Era Cap just secured some fresh capital while adding the three biggest sports leagues in the U.S. as minority owners.

Private equity firm ACON Investments closed a single-asset continuation round of around $700 million for the hat maker, ACON announced Thursday.

  • The NFL, NBA, and MLB all became minority investors in New Era.
  • New investment groups include Apollo, GCM Grosvenor, Hamilton Lane, and Neuberger Berman.

ACON founding partner Ken Brotman called New Era “one of our best performing portfolio investments in [investment fund] ACON Equity Partners IV.”

New Era CEO Chris Koch added that the cash injection will “allow us to consider potential North American and global acquisitions.”

Top Three

The investment represents a rare union between the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

“Having our three largest league partners aligned with us through a strategic equity position further solidifies our already strong partnerships,” said Jim Grundtisch, New Era’s chief revenue officer.

Fanatics has sold stakes to the NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, and the NBA holds stakes in the company’s trading card business and Fanatics China.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?

NFL Says There Will be ‘Heightened’ Security at Paris Game

The Saints and Steelers are set to play amid civil unrest.

Netflix Releases Q3 Earnings, Preps Big Q4 for Sports

The streaming giant tried to put a hopeful spin on staff cuts.

Adam Silver on LeBron Helicopter: ‘Perfectly Appropriate’

A source tells FOS the league is not investigating the matter.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/21/26 – T-Mac Backs Clippers Penalty, 80-to-1 Rays Haunt Sportsbooks, Jay-Z Picks Jay-Z

0:00

Featured Today

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Exclusive

SportsGrid Up for Sale Amid Revenue Slide

Bankers have been pitching suitors since this summer.
October 8, 2026

Filing Details Jeanie Buss’s Side Deal to Remain Lakers Governor

Jeanie Buss was granted five years as team governor.
UFL co-owner Mike Repole speaks to the crowd as the UFL franchise Louisville Kings are introduced at Lynn Family Stadium. Wednesday, October 8, 2025
October 9, 2026

Mike Repole Invests in Kentucky Derby Owner Amid Push for Change

The billionaire has amassed a 1.5% stake in Churchill Downs.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
A drone view shows the Paramount water tower at Paramount studios in Hollywood and the Hollywood sign, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 24, 2026.
October 6, 2026

Newly Formed Skydance Is a Force in Sports Media

The large-scale deal creates a sports media colossus.
Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in action during the race
Exclusive
September 24, 2026

Dolphins Owner Nearing Deal to Sell 20% Stake in Miami F1 Race

Stephen Ross has owned the Miami Grand Prix since 2021.
Drew Weatherford
September 23, 2026

Former FSU QB Drew Weatherford Says PE Can Fix Youth Sports

Weatherford tells FOS what’s ailing the youth sports industrial complex.
Exclusive
September 16, 2026

LeBron James Polymarket Deal Worth $15 Million a Year

James is not an investor in Polymarket, just an endorser.