Sports and media investor Matt Rizzetta has officially launched Underdog Global Partners, a new private-equity firm. The company will concentrate on investments in sports, media intellectual property, and associated real estate assets, such as stadiums and arenas.
The firm begins its operations with a portfolio of global sports and media properties and a team of approximately 100 employees. Initial financial backing for the venture comes from a group of high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
Key Takeaways
- Investor Matt Rizzetta has launched Underdog Global Partners, a new private-equity firm.
- The firm will invest in three core sectors: sports, real estate, and media intellectual property.
- Initial assets include sports properties and physical venues like stadiums.
- Rizzetta has prior experience with sports investment, including the successful turnaround of Italian soccer club Campobasso FC.
- Future investment targets for the firm may include a U.S.-based youth sports academy and an arena.
A New Player in Sports Investment
Underdog Global Partners enters a competitive but growing market for sports-related investments. The firm's strategy is to acquire and manage a diverse portfolio of assets that includes professional teams, media rights, and the physical infrastructure that supports them. This integrated approach aims to create value across interconnected industries.
According to reports, the firm's initial assets already include a collection of global sports and media properties. By also holding the associated real estate, such as stadiums, Underdog Global Partners can control key revenue streams and operational aspects of its sports investments. This model provides more stability and long-term growth potential compared to investing in teams alone.
The Strategy of Integrated Assets
Owning both a sports team and its home stadium is a powerful business strategy. It allows the owner to capture revenue from ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, parking, and non-sporting events like concerts. This creates a year-round revenue stream that is not solely dependent on the team's performance on the field.
The firm has secured early-stage funding from a network of private investors, including family offices and high-net-worth individuals. This type of backing is common for specialized private equity ventures, as it allows for a more patient and strategic deployment of capital without the pressures of public markets. Rizzetta confirmed the company launched with about 100 employees, indicating a significant operational capacity from day one.
Rizzetta's Track Record with Campobasso FC
Matt Rizzetta is not new to the world of sports investment. His most notable success is the acquisition and revitalization of the Italian soccer club, Campobasso FC. In 2022, he took over the team when it was an amateur club and successfully guided its transformation into a professional organization.
The turnaround of Campobasso FC serves as a practical example of the investment philosophy Rizzetta is expected to apply at Underdog Global Partners. The process involved not just financial investment but also a comprehensive overhaul of the club's operations, branding, and community engagement. This hands-on approach is a hallmark of modern sports investment, where value is created through strategic management rather than passive ownership.
From Amateur to Professional
The journey of Campobasso FC under Rizzetta's leadership demonstrates a key investment thesis: identifying undervalued assets with strong community ties and growth potential. The club's promotion to a professional league was a significant milestone that increased its value and public profile.
Media Spotlight with Disney and ESPN
The success story of Campobasso FC attracted major media attention. The club became the focus of "Running With the Wolves," a television show produced for Disney and ESPN. Rizzetta is credited as a co-creator and executive producer of the series, highlighting his ability to merge sports with media content.
This experience demonstrates the synergy between sports ownership and media intellectual property—two of the three pillars of Underdog's investment strategy. By creating compelling content around a sports asset, an owner can build a global fanbase, attract sponsors, and generate new revenue streams. The show provides a blueprint for how the firm might leverage media to enhance the value of its future investments.
"Potential future investments may include an arena and a U.S.-based youth sports academy," Rizzetta mentioned, signaling a focus on both large-scale infrastructure and grassroots development.
Future Investment Horizons
Looking ahead, Underdog Global Partners has ambitious plans. Rizzetta has indicated that the firm is exploring several potential investment areas that align with its core strategy. These plans reflect broader trends in the sports and entertainment industries.
One potential target is the acquisition or development of a major sports arena. Owning a modern, multi-purpose venue is a significant asset. Such facilities host professional sports teams and also attract a wide range of other events, including concerts, conferences, and family shows. This diversification of revenue is highly attractive to private equity investors seeking stable, long-term returns.
Focus on Youth Sports Development
Another area of interest for the firm is the establishment of a youth sports academy in the United States. The youth sports market is a multi-billion dollar industry with consistent demand. An academy can serve several strategic purposes:
- Talent Pipeline: It can identify and develop young athletes, creating a pipeline for professional teams owned by the firm or others.
- Brand Building: A successful academy builds brand loyalty and community connection from a young age.
- Revenue Generation: These facilities generate revenue through tuition, camps, tournaments, and sponsorships.
Investing in youth development is seen as a sustainable, long-term strategy that can provide both financial returns and a competitive advantage in the professional sports landscape. It aligns with the "underdog" theme of nurturing talent from the ground up.
The Broader Market Context
The launch of Underdog Global Partners comes at a time when private capital is increasingly flowing into the sports industry. Institutional investors, who once viewed sports teams as vanity assets, now recognize them as sophisticated businesses with significant growth potential. The value of sports franchises has soared in recent years, driven by lucrative media rights deals, global expansion, and new technology.
The firm's focus on media IP and real estate alongside sports properties is a strategic move to capitalize on these trends. As media consumption becomes more fragmented, live sports remain one of the few forms of content that consistently draw large, engaged audiences. This makes media rights incredibly valuable. Simultaneously, the real estate surrounding sports venues often becomes a hub for commercial and residential development, creating additional investment opportunities.
By combining these three elements, Underdog Global Partners is positioned to build a diversified and resilient portfolio that can navigate the evolving landscape of sports, media, and entertainment. The firm's launch represents another significant step in the professionalization and financial sophistication of the global sports industry.
