Chris Smith

Los Angeles

Staff Writer at Sports Business Journal

Sports finance for @SBJ; formerly @Forbes.

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Articles

SURJ Sports Investment partners on launch of Kings League MENA

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Kings League, the seven-on-seven soccer startup founded by retired Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Investment to launch a new joint venture, Kings League MENA. It will be the seventh league for Kings League, joining initiatives in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America and Spain. Saudi Arabia will be the inaugural host for the new regional league, which will launch later this year. Financial details were not disclosed.
Muse Sport-led consortium acquires SailGP’s Italian team for $45 million

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

SailGP’s Italian team, Red Bull Italy, has been acquired by a group of investors organized by Muse Sport, the sports investing and advisory practice of early-stage VC firm Muse Capital. The consortium is led by Muse founding partner Assia Grazioli-Venier, Italian luxury brand entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and team driver and CEO Jimmy Spithill. The transaction values Red Bull Italy at $45M.
The NFLPA Rookie Premiere pairs the most marketable new members with a host of top sponsors

1 week ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Earlier this month, No. 1 NFL Draft pick and new Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was in the middle of a locker room interview when he was surprised with a personal video recorded by his pick for greatest NFL player of all time: Tom Brady. “Every step you’ve taken in your journey and every obstacle you’ve overcome, it’s all led to these moments,” Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, told him.
Providence Equity Partners eyes acquisition opportunities with $1B deal for global logistics provider GCL

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Providence Equity Partners is acquiring a control position in global logistics firm GCL at a $1B-plus valuation, with prior control owner ATL Partners retaining a minority stake. According to GCL President & CEO Dan Rosenthal, the company’s new lead investor will unlock a next chapter of growth across sports, live events and luxury goods.
2025 Sports Business Awards: Panthers claim Sports Team of the Year

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

On Tuesday night, the Florida Panthers kicked off the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals with a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, continuing their quest to claim back-to-back Stanley Cups. Just one night later, the Panthers added another piece of hardware to the trophy cabinet: Sports Team of the Year at the 2025 Sports Business Awards.
Let fans, not teams, drive the intersection of culture and sports

2 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Last season, the New York Mets found an unlikely celebrity fan: Grimace. The McDonald’s mascot threw out a first pitch in June and became a social media star after the team immediately went on a winning streak. According to Mets Chief Growth Officer Andrew Grossman, that virality stemmed largely from the team keeping its distance. “We, at the Mets, actually didn’t do too much there,” Grossman recalled while onstage at 4se, SBJ’s sports and culture event in New York City.
Making sense of MLB team valuation estimates and what they say about the league’s financial health

3 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Major League Baseball is facing some undeniable headwinds. The league is losing a national media rights partner, with ESPN opting out after this season. Two teams, the Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, are playing in minor league ballparks. And MLB’s collective-bargaining agreement expires after the 2026 season, potentially setting the stage for a contentious labor battle.
Shaun White to join U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s youth development camp in Oregon

3 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

Snowboard legend Shaun White will participate in a new partnership between U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Project Gold program and the High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Windells Freeski Camp at Oregon’s Mount Hood this June. Project Gold is U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s series of youth development camps intended to identify and train potential future Olympians. The upcoming program in Oregon will feature the debut of a new Banger Bag, a state-of-the-art, Olympic-caliber inflatable landing ramp.
TKO Group, Liberty Media executives remain bullish on value of live sports rights

3 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro was optimistic this week that live sports rights offer broadcasters an “antidote to churn” and a proven way to drive new subscribers, leading to strong buyside demand. “I started as an intern at NBC Sports in 1989, and I can unequivocally say that as a buyer and a seller ... I have never seen the sports media rights environment this hot,” Shapiro said Tuesday at J.P. Morgan’s Global Technology, Media & Communications conference in Boston.
J.P. Morgan, MoffettNathanson conferences to feature top sports media execs

3 weeks ago | sportsbusinessjournal.com | Chris Smith

As the top networks and streamers take the stage for upfronts events this week, J.P. Morgan and MoffettNathanson will host their annual media and communications conferences. J.P. Morgan’s Global Technology, Media and Communications conference runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Westin Boston Seaport District hotel, featuring presentations from TKO Group’s Mark Shapiro and Liberty Media President & CEO Derek Chang, among others.