Official announcements from NFL teams or reputable financial news outlets

NFL Teams Enter Private Equity Era with Bills, Dolphins, Eagles, and Raiders Sales

Dec 11, 2024, 04:15 PM

The National Football League (NFL) has entered a new era of ownership with the approval of private equity investments in teams. For the first time, the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins have sold minority stakes to private equity firms Arctos Partners and Ares Management, respectively. The Bills sold 10% of their franchise to Arctos, while the Dolphins sold 10% to Ares Management. Both deals included traditional limited partners, with the Bills' group also featuring NBA legends Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. The transactions mark a significant shift in the NFL's ownership paradigm, allowing teams to generate hundreds of millions of dollars without relinquishing control. The Eagles received approval for an 8% stake sale, valuing the team at a staggering $8.3 billion, while the Raiders sold a 15% stake. The Dolphins' sale was based on a valuation of $8.1 billion, highlighting the soaring valuations of NFL franchises.