Let The Games Begin

Sports are not only a cultural phenomenon but also a massive business sector with significant investment opportunities. Investors can gain exposure to the lucrative world of professional sports by investing in publicly traded companies affiliated with major leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA. This article explores the financial landscape of sports stocks and examines key investment opportunities.

Investing in the NFL: Football’s Market Impact

While no NFL team is publicly traded, investors can gain exposure through companies that have deep ties to the league. Key publicly traded companies benefiting from the NFL’s success include:

• Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSGS): Owns sports assets, including media rights deals linked to professional sports leagues.
• FanDuel (owned by Flutter Entertainment - FLTR.L): A major player in sports betting that sees massive revenue spikes during the NFL season.
• DraftKings Inc. (DKNG): A dominant sportsbook that capitalizes on NFL betting trends.

MLB Stocks: The Business of Baseball

Baseball remains an investment-worthy industry, with public companies profiting from the MLB’s business model. Some notable publicly traded companies with MLB exposure include:

• Liberty Media Corp. (BATRA): The owner of the Atlanta Braves, offering direct exposure to MLB revenue streams.
• Topps (owned by Fanatics): A leading sports memorabilia and trading card company, benefiting from MLB licensing.
• Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI): Owns regional sports networks broadcasting MLB games.

NBA Investments: Hoops and High Returns

The NBA’s global expansion and media deals provide ample investment potential. Some major NBA-related stocks include:

• Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSGS): Owner of the New York Knicks, one of the most valuable franchises in sports.
• Nike (NKE): Official apparel sponsor of the NBA, generating billions through jersey and sneaker sales.
• Disney (DIS): Owns ESPN, which broadcasts NBA games and generates significant ad revenue.

Expanding Beyond the Big Three

Investors looking beyond traditional U.S. leagues can explore opportunities in emerging markets, such as:

• Formula One (FWONA): A publicly traded global motorsports franchise.
• Manchester United (MANU): One of the few publicly traded soccer teams.
• WWE (TKO Group Holdings): A sports entertainment powerhouse with a massive international fan base.