Investors are flocking to the sports sector in droves, with professional sports teams as the main attraction. Due to scarcity of assets and rising valuations across the NFL, NBA, and MLB, deals are happening rapidly. PE Hub tracks five deals announced in August alone.

Marc Stad, founder of Dragoneer Investment Group, will take majority control of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx from Marc Lore. Alex Rodriguez will increase his investment in the team. Meanwhile, KKR-backed Arctos acquired a 10 percent minority stake in the Atlanta Falcons, marking its fourth NFL investment.

An ownership group led by Kwanza Jones and José E Feliciano is acquiring the San Diego Padres at a $3.9 billion valuation. Earlier in August, Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a $12.5 billion transaction. Apollo Sports Capital has agreed to provide $2.6 billion to Yankee Global Enterprises for the New York Yankees.

José E Feliciano, managing partner at Clearlake Capital Group, noted that sports have become a predictable, sticky revenue source. PE firms like Apollo, Arctos, and Blue Owl are driving much of the activity in 2026.