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☆ The NFL's annual meeting is happening now. Here are 6 firms that stand to win if the league opens its doors to new investors.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Tiara White | Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

This year's meeting is being closely watched by Wall Street because of a planned discussion about whether to start letting team owners sell stakes to private-equity firms and other institutional investors. So who stands to benefit if the NFL owners agree to a rule change? AdvertisementThe sports investing experts who spoke to BI pointed to private-equity firms with established histories in sports investing, like Dyal HomeCourt, Arctos Partners, and RedBird Capital. Lutsky also thinks a rule change could prompt more financial industry newcomers to try to break into the world of sports investing. See BI's list of private-equity firms that could benefit from an NFL rule change, according to 6 finance experts and industry insiders, from bankers to investment advisors:

Persons: —, Arun Muralidhar, Muralidhar, Tim Schlittner, Jonathan Lutsky, Lutsky Organizations: Service, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Forbes, Business, NBA, NHL, MLB, Mcube Investment Technologies, Drake Star Partners, BI, Arctos Partners, RedBird, Partners, Sports Locations: Orlando , Florida

☆ AC Milan: How this soccer team became a style success story
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Daniel-Yaw Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Pleasures tie-up may have been a surprise to traditional soccer fans, but it was by no means an accident. AC Milan has pursued a number of partnerships — including tapping Off-White as its official “style and culture curator” — since its $1.2 billion acquisition by US investment firm RedBird Capital Partners in August 2022. AC Milan’s infiltration of fashion has gone further than any soccer team before, even France’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which not so long ago was the favored sports collaborator of brands like Dior, Stüssy and Jordan. This gray varsity with Off White and AC Milan branding is sold out. Courtesy AC MilanUnlike PSG, AC Milan does not have the same kind of international stardom in its squad that automatically comes with cultural caché.

Persons: Kylie Jenner, Ib Kamara, ”, Germain, Stüssy, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Kylian, Lauren Cochrane, “ It’s Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Milan, Napoli, Milanese, Los, Vogue Italia, RedBird Capital Partners, Saint, PSG, Dior, White, Milan AC Milan’s, Puma, Guardian Locations: Los Angeles, thoughtfully, Jordan, Italy

☆ Paramount Global to lay off 800 employees after record Super Bowl ad revenue and ratings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paramount Global, the owner of broadcast and cable TV networks, announced Tuesday it will lay off hundreds of staffers as the media giant looks to reduce costs and grow revenue. The news comes just days after its CBS network saw record-breaking advertising sales and the highest-rated telecast for the Super Bowl. The company’s chief executive, Bob Bakish, announced the layoffs in a memo to employees Tuesday obtained by CNN. While Bakish did not specify the number of layoffs, sources familiar with the matter told CNN around 800 employees, or roughly 3% cut of the company’s workforce, will be affected. Paramount is the latest media conglomerate to lay off staffers in 2024.

Persons: Bob Bakish, Bakish, —, ” Bakish, Shari Redstone, David Zaslav, David Ellison’s Skydance, Condé Nast Organizations: CNN, Paramount Global, CBS, Super, National, Warner Bros, Discovery, RedBird, Paramount, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, TIME, Business, Condé, Forbes, The New York Daily News

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was holding a conference call with players about the deal that was finalized Tuesday night. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“By making PGA Tour members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA Tour,” Monahan, who will be CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, said in the formal announcement. While specific details of the equity ownership program were not announced, the initial grants would be based on career accomplishments, recent achievements and PGA Tour status. The European tour was part of the framework agreement on June 6, and it has a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour.

Persons: LIV Golf, Jay Monahan, ” Monahan, Marc Attanasio, Arthur Blank, Steven Cohen, Wyc Grousbeck, Tom Werner, John Henry, Marc Lasry, Alec Scheiner, ”, Henry, Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, Peter Malnati, Yasir Al, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, LIV, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, PIF, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, ___ Organizations: Strategic Sports Group, Tour Enterprises, PGA Tour, SSG, Associated Press, Washington Post, Public Investment Fund, PGA, SSG —, Tour, Fenway Sports Group, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Mets, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Browns, RedBird, Fenway Sports, PGA Tour Enterprises, Saudi, Monday, PIF Locations: Calif, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, PIF, Mexico

☆ David Ellison's Skydance Media explores acquiring all of Paramount Global, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

David Ellison's Skydance Media and its financial backers are exploring a deal to take private all of Paramount Global , people familiar with the matter told CNBC. It is unclear if Redstone would demand a different premium for selling National Amusements than the remaining shareholders of Paramount Global would obtain. Skydance isn't interested in a deal where it would only acquire National Amusements but not all of Paramount, said the people. Spokespeople for RedBird, Skydance, Paramount Global and National Amusements declined to comment. Discovery has also had preliminary discussions about acquiring Paramount Global, according to people familiar with the matter.

Persons: Shari Redstone, David Ellison's, Ellison, hasn't, Skydance, Larry Ellison, Skydance hasn't, Skydance isn't, Puck Organizations: National Amusements, CBS, Viacom, Media, Paramount Global, CNBC, Skydance, Paramount, RedBird Capital Partners, KKR, Netflix, YouTube, Apple, Oracle, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, National, Warner Bros, Redstone, Discovery, Comcast, Street, Amusements, Bloomberg Locations: Laguna Beach , California, U.S

Thursday's analyst calls featured an upgrade to a car rental stock and a big downgrade to an airline. The bank also hiked his price target on the tech giant to $225 per share, implying upside of 23%. — Pia Singh 5:36 a.m.: Citi downgrades Spirit Airlines to sell Citi is throwing in the towel on Spirit Airlines . Week to date, Spirit shares are down nearly 60%. Spirit shares were down more than 4% in the premarket.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Hertz, Andrew Percoco, Percoco, — Pia Singh, Wamsi Mohan, Fred Imbert, Kirk Materne, Materne, Dan Dolev, Dolev, he's, CFRA, Kenneth Leon, Berkshire Hathaway, Leon, Ranjan Sharma, Sharma, bode, Adam Jonas, Jonas, Morgan, Stephen Trent, Trent Organizations: CNBC, flipside, Citi, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Bank of America, Apple Bank of America, Apple, Microsoft, ISI, Activision, Activision Blizzard, Mizuho, Fidelity National Information Services, Paramount Global, RedBird Capital, Warner Bros ., Comcast, Paramount's, Showtime, Paramount, JPMorgan, Grab Holdings, Hertz Global Holdings, Jan, Citi downgrades Spirit Airlines, Spirit, Airlines Locations: Berkshire, 1H24, Wednesday's

☆ Big M&A and Bob Iger's future: 13 media executives make their anonymous 2024 predictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-20 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Executive 2: Bob Iger will, again, extend his contract as Disney CEO Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger renewed his contract through 2026. This executive predicted "fool me five times, shame on me." This executive predicted Peltz and Rasulo will win their campaign and both join the board. This person predicted Disney would purchase privately held Candle Media to acquire Moonbug Entertainment, the owner of CoComelon. This executive predicted Yaccarino would either lose patience or find her job increasingly pointless and leave the company in 2024.

Persons: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Walt Disney Company Bob Iger, Michael M, David Zaslav, Slaven Vlasic, NBCUniversal, Brian Roberts, Roberts, Donna Langley, Bob Iger, Iger, Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Marco Bello, Peltz, Rasulo, Disney's, Dana Walden, Dana Walden Jason Laveris, Disney Entertainment Dana Walden, Walden, Bob Chapek, Andrew Wilson, Wilson, Chris Licht wouldn't, McCarthy, Andrew Wilson Michael Newberg, Kevin Mayer, Mayer, Bryan van der Beek, Tom Staggs, Staggs, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Terada, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Alec Martinez, Gray, Discovery's Max, Jeff Zucker, Lady Michelle Obama's, Michelle Obamas, Cheriss, Gerry Cardinale, Jeff Shell, RedBird, Shari Redstone's, David Ellison, Byron Trott, Zucker, Mark Thompson, Linda Yaccarino, X Linda Yaccarino, Vox, Jerod Harris, Yaccarino, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Boorstin, Elon Musk's, Jason LaVeris, Barbie, Mario, Oppenheimer, LightShed's Greenfield Organizations: Walt Disney Company, New York Times, Santiago, Getty, Jazz, Lincoln Center, Warner Bros ., Comcast, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Trian Fund Management, Future Investment Initiative, Summit, Bloomberg, Filmmagic, Disney Entertainment, Electronic Arts, CNBC, Candle Media, Iger, Media, Moonbug Entertainment, Apple Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, USA, National Basketball Association, NBA, Apple, The College, ESPN, College, NHL, MLB, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Mobile, National Hockey League, Diamond Sports Group, Scripps, Gray Television, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, Street Journal, Netflix, Hulu, Max, Paramount, RedBird, Paramount Global, CNN Worldwide, CNN, NurPhoto, BDT, The Ritz, Carlton, FilmMagic, Mario Bros Locations: New York City, Disney, Miami , Florida, Las Vegas , Nevada, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point , California

☆ Paramount shares jump after reports of takeover interest
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-08 | by ( Drew Richardson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Paramount logo is seen on a building in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2023. Paramount Global shares surged Friday following reports from Deadline and Puck News that Skydance and RedBird Capital were exploring potentially taking over the media giant. Paramount shares closed up more than 12% Friday. Meanwhile, the company is reportedly considering bundling its Paramount+ streaming service with Apple TV+. Paramount, RedBird Capital and Skydance did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

Persons: Shari Redstone, weathers, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, David Ellison's Skydance, Skydance Organizations: Paramount, Paramount Global, Puck, RedBird, Apple Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Former NBCUniversal Chief in Talks to Join Private-Equity Firm RedBird Capital Partners
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Joe Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

An announcement about former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell’s appointment to RedBird is expected in the first quarter. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesFormer NBCUniversal Chief Executive Jeff Shell is in advanced talks to join private-equity firm RedBird Capital Partners, leading its sports and entertainment investment business. A formal announcement about Shell’s appointment is expected in the first quarter of next year. A spokesperson for RedBird confirmed the negotiations.

Persons: Jeff Shell’s, RedBird, Kevin Dietsch, Jeff Shell Organizations: RedBird Capital Partners

☆ Jeff Zucker Nears Major Deal to Re-enter the News Business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | More About Michael M. Grynbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

After a series of financial maneuvers, RedBird IMI would assume ownership and management of The Telegraph and The Spectator. Redbird IMI said its Emirati partner would be a passive investor. Mr. Zucker declined to comment, citing the pending negotiations. Mr. Zucker does not plan to oversee day-to-day news coverage, the person said. RedBird IMI is a joint venture between RedBird Capital, a private-equity firm, and a private investment fund that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, an Emirati royal, runs.

Persons: Barclay, Rupert Murdoch, Lord Rothermere, Zucker, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan Organizations: Telegraph, London’s Daily Mail, RedBird IMI, IMI, The Telegraph, RedBird, Conservative, IMI “ Locations: Abu Dhabi, United States, London

An Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund said Monday it has paved the way to take ownership of Britain's Telegraph newspaper and The Spectator magazine after striking a deal with the publications' previous owners to repay debts owed by them. The Barclay family owned the right-leaning newspaper and magazine nefore they were put into receivership. Various media firms have been reported to be interested in taking over the publications, including German publisher Axel Springer and the Daily Mail's publisher. The fund said the deal includes an option to turn the loans into equity which would give it ownership control of the newspaper and magazine. Lenders for the Barclay family would need to agree to the deal, which is expected to attract a high level of political scrutiny.

Persons: Abu, Jeff Zucker, Media Investments —, Britain's Barclay, Barclay, Axel Springer Organizations: Britain's Telegraph, The Spectator, IMI, RedBird, CNN, Abu Dhabi's, Media Investments, Lloyds Bank, Ritz Hotel, Daily, International Media Investments Locations: Abu Dhabi, German

☆ Hollywood insiders are bracing for M&A activity to make a comeback, as 10 experts reveal the deals they're predicting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Reed Alexander | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"The unknown is hard to transact in," Sam Powers, the global head of technology, media, and telecommunications for Bank of America, told Insider. Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision , which was completed Thursday, has also put media and tech M&A back in the spotlight. "People have been holding their breath in nervous anticipation" about the idea of tech buying big media , one investor told Insider. Private-equity bets on media and Hollywood have seen mixed resultsPrivate-equity firms may have the cash to finance major media acquisitions, but they're reckoning with market volatility. Are you a Hollywood insider?

Persons: Hollywood dealmakers, Jonathan Handel, Sam Powers, Bob Iger, —, Byron Allen, Greg Doherty, Iger, Disney's, Byron Allen —, Allen, Disney, it's, Handel, It's, you've, Reese Witherspoon, Dave Kotinsky, Moonbug, Reese Witherspoon's, Jeff Zucker, Abu, Tom Staggs, Kevin Mayer, Lucia Moses, Reed Alexander Organizations: Hollywood, Puck News, Bank of America, SAG, Writers Guild of America, Disney, ESPN, Activision, Byron Allen The Weather, Wall Street shareholders, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hulu, ABC, Nexstar Media Group, Allen Media Group, Weather, Lionsgate, Starz, Paramount, BET, Warner Bros, Games, Disney Digital Network, Maker Studios, Observers, Comcast, Paramount Global, Tech, MGM, Microsoft, Netflix, Apple, RedBird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI, Private, SP, G Global Market Intelligence, Bloomberg, Media, Apollo Global Management, Yahoo Locations: Hollywood, Blackstone, Abu Dhabi, lmoses@insider.com, ralexander@insider.com

☆ For U.S. investors seeking an edge in European soccer, the cheaper the better
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This comes as deep-pocketed investors — from top U.S. private equity and venture capital firms to global rivals like sovereign wealth funds — have intensified competition. Meanwhile, more than one-third of the clubs in the so-called "Big Five" leagues in Europe are backed by U.S. investors, including private equity and venture capital firms. "These recent transactions have set a precedent in terms of club valuation but also prompted many owners to consider selling to [private equity]," according to an analyst report from PitchBook. Some firms, like Sixth Street Partners, have found different outlets into taking a stake in European soccer, particularly in Spain's LaLiga. The shift is happening as soccer clubs have been looking for fresh capital following the distress stemming from the earlier days of the Covid pandemic.

Persons: Liverpool's Curtis Jones, Charles Baker, PitchBook, Todd Boehly, English Premier League's, Elliott Management's, Lionel Messi Organizations: Premier League, King Power, U.S, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Newcastle, Clearlake Capital, English Premier, English Premier League's Chelsea, Redbird Capital Partners, Italy's AC Milan, Sixth Street Partners, FC Barcelona, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool FC, Dynasty Equity, English Premier League, Sheffield United Locations: Leicester, European, U.S, Europe, PitchBook, LaLiga, Spanish, Real Madrid's

☆ Football-XFL and USFL announce intent to merge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 28 (Reuters) - The XFL and USFL said on Thursday that the two troubled American grid iron leagues plan to merge and begin play next year. The XFL is owned by movie star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson while the USFL is under the ownership of Fox Corp. In a joint statement the XFL and USFL said the merger will be subject to customary regulatory approvals. Neither the XFL or USFL or a new league pose a threat to NFL dominance with the merged entity continuing to play a Spring schedule. McMahon relaunched the league in 2020 but never finished the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: Landry Jones, Kirby Lee, Dwayne, Johnson, Vince McMahon, McMahon, Steve Keating Organizations: Dallas Renegades, XFL, LA Wildcats, Health Sports Park, The Renegades, Wildcats, USA, USFL, Fox Corp, National Football League, Fox, NBC, Disney, NFL, longtime WWE, RedBird Capital Partners, Thomson Locations: Carson , California, USA, U.S, Toronto

☆ The rich are competing with private equity to buy sports teams. Here is how they are getting creative in a crowded field.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Valuations show no signs of cooling off with billionaires and private equity firms in bidding wars. Bankers to the rich told Insider which sports are drawing moneyed clients. Now rich individuals have to compete with institutional investors like private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds for a limited number of teams. As a result, aspiring team owners have gotten more creative to seal the deal. "It's never going to be a private equity type of model where these assets will be exited every five years," he told Insider.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks Marc Lasry, Brian Kantarian, Josh Harris, Kantarian, Ivo Voynov, It's, Gerry Cardinale, Voynov Organizations: Bankers, Sports, NBA, Wrexham AFC, Milwaukee Bucks, NFL, Citi Private Bank, Europe's Big Five, XFL, JPMorgan Locations: Washington, Europe, Plenty, Wall

☆ Media and entertainment companies are finding more investment from the Middle East, but it can come with controversy. Here are 11 of the most notable deals.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Insider broke down 11 top media companies with Middle Eastern backing or partnerships. Middle Eastern investment has poured into US media and entertainment, and US media companies have been eager recipients. Here's a rundown of 11 key Western media and entertainment companies, listed alphabetically, that have licensing and investment partnerships with Middle Eastern entities. Jimmy Finkelstein's news startup The Messenger has Middle Eastern funding via its acquisition of IMI-backed startup Grid, which is now shuttered. The North Road, Peter Chernin and Providence Equity's production roll-up, took a $150 million investment in January from the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar's main investment vehicle, to support its expansion.

Persons: Peter Chernin, Jeff Zucker, Uber, Jamal Khashoggi's, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, —, hasn't, Mohammed bin Salman, SRMG, Abu, Abu Dhabi's, Jimmy Finkelstein's, BeIn, Stone, Ian Orefice, WBD Organizations: Providence, North, IMI, ex, CNN, Public Investment Fund, Blackstone, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, Saudi, Guardian, Media, Bloomberg Media, Saudi Research, Media Group, Media Investments, CNN Business, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, Sky News Arabia, Business, Independent, SRMG, Miramax, BeIn, Paramount, Qatar Investment Authority, Penske Media Corporation, Billboard, Variety, Penske, Vox Media, New York, Billboard Arabia, RedBird Capital, Mideast, MBC Group, MBC, Fortress Investment Group, Investment, Warner Bros Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, West, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, ViacomCBS, SRMG

Media and entertainment deal-making has slowed, but private equity players are still betting big on the space. Middle Eastern sources are still providing funding to media, which could fuel deals in the months ahead. Media deal volume has actually increased, just not as fast; PwC recorded media deals rose 3% (to 326) in the six months through May, down from a 7% increase in the previous six months. And beyond private equity, legacy players could shed properties they consider non-core: Paramount is trying to offload BET while Warner Bros. Insider's list of top private equity players in media and entertainment highlights 17 firms, from heavy hitters to smaller upstarts, based on our reporting and conversations with investors and insiders.

Persons: PwC, Hollywood —, Ryan, Morgan Stanley, Sherrese Clarke Soares Organizations: Media, Hollywood, RedBird Capital Partners, NFL, Company, Qatar Investment Authority, Yahoo, ESPN, Paramount, BET, Warner Bros, Discovery, Equity Partners Locations: Providence, BlackRock

☆ Rossi sees Reynolds' winning touch boosting Alpine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ENSTONE, England, June 27 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine believe Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has the Midas Touch to help get the team back to the top in Formula One. "Most of you were probably expecting Ryan Reynolds," Otro Capital founder and partner Alec Scheiner jokingly told analysts at Alpine's Enstone factory for a strategy presentation. Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi pointed to Reynolds' track record in business. Rossi said the investors, who have paid 200 million euros ($218.88 million), would develop revenues through merchandising, licensing and hospitality. The deal values Alpine Racing at around $900 million and Rossi said the numbers were only going up.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Laurent Rossi, Rossi, Otro, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Scheiner, Luca de Meo, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Renault, Formula, Wrexham soccer, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Aviation, Mobile US, Ka'ena Corp, Mint Mobile, Diageo, Gin, Wrexham, English Football League, RedBird, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, Milan, Liberty Media, Thomson Locations: ENSTONE, England, Wrexham, RedBird, Americas, Las Vegas, U.S

☆ Wrexham's Hollywood owners join group buying into Alpine F1
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in an investor group taking a 24% equity stake in Alpine Racing, the Formula One team's parent company Renault announced on Monday. The 200 million euro ($218.10 million) deal values British-based Alpine Racing at around $900 million following the investment. Alec Scheiner, the co-founder and partner of Otro Capital, will join Alpine Racing's board of directors. Renault said Alpine Racing SAS, the French entity that makes the team's power units in Viry-Châtillon, will remain entirely owned by the carmaker. "Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Reynolds, Michael B, Jordan, McElhenney, Renault, Huntsman, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Laurent Rossi, Alan Baldwin, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Alpine Racing, Renault, Otro, Alpine, McElhenney, Wrexham, Welsh soccer, English Football League, Main Street Advisors, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, AC Milan, New York Yankees, Formula, Benetton, Alpine Racing SAS, Thomson Locations: Alpine, Philadelphia, Wrexham, North America, Enstone, England, Viry

☆ Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: Wrexham’s Hollywood owners are part of group taking 24% stake in Alpine F1 team
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are part of a new investment group that is taking a 24% equity stake in Formula One outfit Alpine, the team’s parent company, Renault, announced on Monday. The investment group also includes Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners. Reynolds and McElhenney are the co-owners of Welsh soccer side, Wrexham. McElhenney and Reynolds celebrate with players of Wrexham's women's team during a bus parade celebration following its title-winning season. Jan Kruger/Getty ImagesThe statement says Reynolds and McElhenney’s Maximum Effort Investments will provide “successful sports and media experience and operational expertise in building high-growth companies.”

Persons: CNN —, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Reynolds, McElhenney, Michael B, Jordan, Laurent Rossi, ”, Rossi, “, Alpine’s, RedBird, Wrexham's, Jan Kruger Organizations: CNN, Formula, Renault, Otro, RedBird Capital Partners, Fenway Sports, Premier League team Liverpool, Major League Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, NFL, Toulouse, AC Milan, Welsh soccer, Football League Locations: British, French, Italian, Welsh, Wrexham

☆ Deal for Formula 1 Team Reflects Growing U.S. Interest in the Sport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

They are buying a 24 percent stake in Alpine F1 Team owned by Renault Group. The investors are paying about 200 million euros ($218 million) for the stake, valuing the team at roughly $900 million. Formula 1 has jumped in popularity in the United States since its sale to Liberty Media in 2017. For Renault, the Alpine deal is aimed at raising the visibility of its Alpine electric vehicle line, as it pushes to have more than half its sales in E.V.s by 2030. In a news release, Renault’s chief executive, Luca de Meo, said the deal would increase the value of the Alpine F1 brand.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, ”, Luca de Meo Organizations: RedBird Capital Partners, Otro, Alpine F1 Team, Renault Group, Liberty Media, Netflix, Renault, Alpine Locations: United States, Las Vegas, Miami, E.V.s

☆ Middle Eastern investors are pouring money into US media, sports, and entertainment — here are the 9 most active players and their key leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Investors in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates are pouring money into Western media and entertainment. Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment, and they're finding plenty of takers. The channels for money from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East are complex. Insider broke down the key entities — their owners, leaders, and high-profile investments and joint ventures — in the top three Middle Eastern nations pouring money into US entertainment and media. It describes itself as the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa and runs one of the largest TV news channels, Al Arabiya.

Persons: Jamal Khashoggi's, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, —, WME, Jimmy Finkelstein's, Abu Dhabi's, It's, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Sam Barnett, Peter Smith —, Christina Wayne, SRMG, Mohammed bin Salman, Alrashid, Johnny Depp, Jeanne du Barry, Sharon Stone, Bruno Mars, Luca Guadanigno, Vince McMahon's, Turki Al, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Dayel, Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al, Mahmoud, Peter Chernin, Nasser Al, Germain, BeIN, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad, Khalifa Al, Vincent, Asghar Farhadi's Oscar, Nart Bouran, JAF, Jeff Zucker, Graydon Carter's, it's, Semafor, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber Organizations: United, Sovereign, Saudi, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, Endeavor, UFC, IMI, Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Aramco, Newcastle United, English football, PGA, MBC, Shahid, Netflix, Vice Media, Variety, MBC Group's, Antenna Group, Cineflex Studios, NBCUniversal International, Amazon, AMC, Saudi Research, Media, Publicly, Red Sea, Cannes, Penske Media Corporation, Bloomberg Media, Vince McMahon's WWE, country's General Entertainment Authority, Development, Cultural Development Fund, George Washington University, American University . Qatar Qatar Investment, Qatar Investment Authority, Providence, BeIN Media, Paris Saint, Miramax, Paramount, Doha Film, Doha Film Institute, H.E, Hollywood Reporter, United Arab Emirates Abu, Investment Authority, UAE, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Hollywood, Dubai Studio, Dubai Media City, National Geographic, BBC News, International Media Investments International Media Investments, National, CNN, Sky News Arabia, Reuters, JAF Communications, Grid, RedBird Capital Partners, Punchbowl News, New York Times, Manchester City, The, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Saudi, East, North Africa, Al Arabiya, Netherlands, Greece, Dubai, Jeddah, SRMG, Riyadh, Doha, Europe, Americas, ViacomCBS, Qatari, Thani, Abu Dhabi

☆ Former CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Has a New Job at RedBird IMI. What Is It?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since leaving CNN a year ago, Jeff Zucker, the network’s former president, has been on the hunt for deals, flush with $1 billion in backing from big investors in the worlds of media and finance. In addition to Mr. Zucker, the key players in the new venture, known as RedBird IMI, are Gerry Cardinale, the chief executive and founder of RedBird, and Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, an Emirati government minister who has spearheaded many of IMI’s investment conversations in the United States. Mr. Cardinale is the chief investment officer of RedBird IMI, and Mr. Al Jaber is chairman. RedBird is committing $250 million to the venture, and IMI has agreed to commit the remaining $750 million. The men gathered to discuss business last fall in a suite overlooking a Formula 1 racetrack in Abu Dhabi.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Zucker, Gerry Cardinale, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Cardinale, Al Jaber, RedBird Organizations: CNN, RedBird Capital Partners, International Media Investments, United Arab, IMI Locations: United Arab Emirates, United States, Abu Dhabi

☆ Former CNN boss Jeff Zucker's $1 billion venture is reportedly considering a big investment in former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's media startup Air Mail
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Zucker's firm, RedBird IMI, is reportedly one of three investors circling a majority stake in Air Mail. Jeff Zucker's media venture, RedBird IMI, is exploring a majority stake in Graydon Carter's startup Air Mail, The New York Times reported. It is one of three investors circling Air Mail, according to the Times. Carter, who spent 25 years leading Condé Nast's Vanity Fair, launched Air Mail — "a lively digital weekly for the world citizen," per its website — in 2019. In May 2021, as he was seeking investors for the series B, Carter told Insider he expected Air Mail to reach profitability in three years.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Graydon Carter's, Zucker, Jeff Zucker's, Carter, Condé, Axios, RedBird, Zucker's, Chris Licht, David Zaslav, Licht, Donald Trump, Zaslav, Carter cohosted Organizations: CNN, IMI, Air Mail, Morning, RedBird IMI, The New York Times, RedBird Capital Partners, Abu, Media Investments, Air, Times, Standard Investments, TPG Growth, Warner Bros, Discovery, Cannes Film Locations: Abu Dhabi, Zaslav

Brookfield and DigitalBridge are leading opposing bidding consortia in the auction for privately held DigitalBridge, the sources said, adding an outcome is expected by next month. The terms of Compass' debt allow for it to be taken over by a new owner without it being refinanced, one of the sources said. The Deal reported in February that Compass Datacenters was exploring a sale. Compass Datacenters, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and DigitalBridge declined to comment. During the same month, Brookfield Infrastructure also acquired freight container lessor Triton International Ltd (TRTN.N) for about $4.7 billion.

Persons: Dealmaking, Brookfield, Milana Vinn, Anirban Sen, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, DigitalBridge, RedBird Capital Partners, Ontario, Azrieli, Brookfield Infrastructure, Reuters, Triton International, Boca, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Dallas , Texas, Data4, Boca Raton , Florida, New York

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