MSP Sports Capital has acquired a majority stake in the New Zealand SailGP Team. The acquisition means all 13 of SailGP’s national teams are now owned by third party partners.
The acquisition of the Black Foils – led by Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke – marks MSP’s entry into the sailing event and adds the New Zealand SailGP Team to a global sports portfolio that includes or has included the X Games League, McLaren Racing and Everton FC.
MSP was founded by investor-operators Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, whose experience spans some of the world’s largest sports leagues, including MLB, NBA, NFL, F1 and European football.
“This is a very significant milestone for SailGP – and one we set out to reach from the very beginning,” said SailGP co-founder and CEO Sir Russell Coutts.
“The goal of SailGP has always been to build something that world-class investors and sports operators would want to own – to have MSP Sports Capital, led by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, join our ownership group is further validation of that vision.”
Fast-growing sports league
Jahm Najafi, chairman, MSP Sports Capital added: “SailGP is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world and we are thrilled to partner with Russell Coutts and the SailGP organisation.
“We believe the New Zealand team is one of its flagship franchises.”
The announcement follows other recent acquisitions, including Quantum Pacific’s purchase of the Spain SailGP Team, the sale of the Danish-flagged Rockwool Racing to Orlando Magic owner Doug DeVos and the Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds-backed ownership group behind the Bonds Flying Roos (Australia).
Burling and Tuke, three-time Olympic medalists and multiple America’s Cup winners, will remain as co-CEOs of the Black Foils.
SailGP was founded in 2019 by Oracle founder Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts on a centrally-owned business model with the goal of transitioning to private team ownership.
