Silver Lake Buys $100M Stake In Australian Professional Leagues

Global investment firm Silver Lake Partners has acquired a 33.3% stake in the Australian Professional Leagues for roughly $100 million, valuing the business at $303 million. 

The deal, which has received regulatory approval, marks the largest ever single-cash injection into Australian club soccer. 

The A-Leagues — which oversee Australia’s top-flight men’s and women’s soccer clubs — will use the funds to support growth and build a fan-centric digital media platform.

Previous Sports Investments 

Silver Lake has $90 billion in assets under management and committed capital, and its portfolio of brands collectively generate more than $227 billion in annual revenue. 

The investment firm has established a notable footprint in sports. 

• It purchased a 10% stake in Manchester City owner City Football Group for $500 million in 2019.
• The firm participated in a $325 million investment round for Fanatics in August, valuing the merchandiser at $18 billion.
• In September, it bought a stake in Pro Football Focus for $50 million, giving the analytics platform a nine-figure valuation.  

Silver Lake has expressed interest in buying a stake in the commercial operations of New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team.