• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now

USFL Makes Key Hire As It Seeks Investors

USFL
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The USFL announced earlier this week that it would return for the second season in more markets, with the goal of adding more teams in later years.

On Wednesday, the New York Post reported that the Fox-owned entity has hired investment bank Allen & Co. to find investors to assist in the league’s expansion.

Fox’s reported investment goal is to raise between $150 million and $200 million.

  • For the first season, all eight teams played in Birmingham, Alabama, where the league’s office is located.
  • Next season, the USFL wants to play in two-to-four markets that will each host multiple teams.

Fox will move forward with the second season even without an investor. The media entity, which committed $150 million to the USFL over three years, is using some of Fox’s infrastructure to control costs.

The league will use a similar schedule in its second season. This year, the USFL’s 36 regular-season TV broadcasts averaged around 715,000 viewers across Fox, NBC, FS1, and USA Network. The league’s championship takes place on Sunday.

Big Deals

Allen & Co. recently advised the Denver Broncos on its $4.65 billion sale — a record for a U.S. sports team. The investment bank also represented the Wilpon family on its majority stake sale of the New York Mets for $2.48 billion in 2020. In 2019, Allen & Co. brokered Joe Tsai’s deal to acquire the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center for $3.4 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sponsored

Racing Forward: How SailGP is Redefining High-Performance Sailing and Championing Gender Equality

SailGP is redefining high-performance sailing through their bold commitment to gender equality and their Women’s Performance Program.
Oct 14, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) hits a solo home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game one of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.

Juan Soto’s $600M Free-Agent Saga Nears Endgame: The Finalists?

The coveted free-agent outfielder remains poised to sign a historic deal.
opinion

The NFL’s Top Clichés: 10 Tired Broadcast Platitudes

Viewers must wade through a stream of clichés during games and studio shows.

Lions-Bears Sets Early Thanksgiving TV Record, Still Trails Cowboys

CBS drew an average of 37.4 million viewers for Bears-Lions on Thursday.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
November 13, 2024

Why Liberty Media Spun Off Assets, Shook Up Leadership

Longtime CEO Greg Maffei is stepping down at the end of the year.
December 4, 2024

U.S. Firm Makes $310M Bet on Soccer by Forming Superagency

The U.S.-based investment company makes a significant play in international soccer.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
October 30, 2024

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

Arctos already has a slice of Paris Saint-Germain and the PGA Tour, among other assets.
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.
October 25, 2024

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

The Lightning unveiled a multistep and multiyear sale process.
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.
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.