
CVC Capital Partners moves to acquire majority stake in Equine Network
CVC Capital Partners moves to acquire majority stake in Equine Network
- CVC Capital Partners is negotiating a $300 million investment to gain control over Equine Network, an equestrian sports league in the U.S.
- Equine Network operates multiple competitions and offers substantial prize money to competitors, enhancing its appeal to investors.
- The deal signifies Global Sport Group's commitment to expanding its influence in the U.S. sports market and diversifying its investment portfolio.
Story
In the United States, CVC Capital Partners is on the verge of finalizing a significant investment in Equine Network, a prominent equestrian sports league. This $300 million deal aims to secure a majority stake in the organization, marking it as the first new league investment for Global Sport Group since its inception. The deal is expected to be announced shortly, with insights indicating that the agreement has been shaped over the past few years by Equine Network's chief executive, Tom Winsor. Equine Network has developed a robust structure that includes 40 owned and operated competitions, alongside over 800 events managed by third parties. A notable aspect of the league's financial model is its high allocation of competition revenues towards competitor prize money, with some events featuring prize funds that reach into the tens of millions of dollars. By investing in Equine Network, Global Sport Group will broaden its footprint in the lucrative US sports market and integrate a fast-growing and profitable league into its portfolio. The expansion represents a strategic move for CVC-backed Global Sport Group, which holds stakes in various sports assets, including women's professional tennis and the Six Nations Rugby. It also aligns with the group's objective to leverage its network of sports industry executives for better engagement in technology infrastructure, fan interaction, and enhanced commercial opportunities through avenues like sponsorships and data services. This investment is further amplified by the ongoing $2.7 billion debt refinancing process and talks with private equity investors, aimed at reinforcing GSG's stature as a global sports powerhouse. Following the acquisition, CVC will be better positioned to maintain a significant presence in the sports market while exploring new media and sponsorship rights deals. The intent behind this approach is to adapt to evolving media consumption patterns and ensure individual sporting assets operate independently under the new umbrella organization. The interest in acquiring further elite tournaments in tennis also highlights CVC's wider strategy to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities within the global sports marketplace, where investments from various private capital firms have surged in recent years.