United States $744 Billion Private Equity Firm KKR Buys United States $15 Billion Private Equity & Professional Sports Investment Firm Arctos Partners for $1.4 Billion (Include $550 Million Contingent), Founded in 2019 by Ian Charles & David O’Connor (ex-President of Madison Square Garden Company Which Owns Assets Including NBA Basketball Team New York Knicks & Venue Madison Square Garden)
6th February 2026 | Hong Kong
United States private equity firm KKR ($744 billion AUM) has announced to buy United States private equity & professional sports investment firm Arctos Partners ($15 billion AUM) for $1.4 billion (Include $550 million contingent). Arctos Partners was founded in 2019 by Ian Charles & David O’Connor (ex-President of Madison Square Garden Company which owns assets including NBA basketball team New York Knicks & venue Madison Square Garden). Announcement (5/2/26): “KKR & Co. Inc., a leading global investment firm, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Arctos Partners (“Arctos”), a premier institutional investor in professional sports franchise stakes and a leader in asset management solutions for sponsors. The transaction is valued at $1.4 billion in initial consideration, including equity subject to vesting through 2033, plus up to an additional $550 million in future equity tied to both KKR share price and business-specific performance targets and vesting through 2031. Founded by Ian Charles and Doc O’Connor in 2019 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Arctos is the largest institutional investor in professional sports franchises and a recognized innovator in providing strategic capital to asset management firms through structured solutions. The firm manages approximately $15 billion in Assets Under Management (“AUM”) and provides bespoke growth and liquidity solutions to sports franchises (“Arctos Sports”) and alternative asset managers (“Arctos Keystone” or “GP Solutions”).” In 2026 January, KKR was reported be buying United States private equity & professional sports investment firm Arctos Partners at $1 billion valuation. In 2025 September, Arctos launched Arctos Capital Markets to provide HNW investors with sports ownership opportunities. Announcement (30/9/25): Arctos, a private investment firm that provides bespoke growth and liquidity solutions to sports franchises (Arctos Sports) and alternative asset managers (Arctos Keystone), today announced the launch of Arctos Capital Markets (“ACM”), a new business line dedicated to identifying and connecting qualified high net worth investors directly with professional sports ownership opportunities. Leveraging the firm’s proprietary network of potential investors, data science platform, industry relationships, and investment pipeline, Arctos believes it is uniquely positioned to unlock capital for its partners and the broader sports ecosystem. As the only private investment firm approved to own equity across all five major North American professional leagues, Arctos is the largest institutional owner of North American sports equity globally, with over 25 portfolio franchises. Since 2024, Arctos has invested significant resources to build a dedicated ACM team and platform, generating what Arctos believes are strong early results. Notably, ACM facilitated the sale of a controlling interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning to a new ownership group. The group has also worked with syndicate investors for primary and secondary franchise capital raises and control ownership groups.” Arctos – Arctos is a private investment firm designed to catalyze growth and unlock value in complex, illiquid, and underserved markets. Founded in 2019, the firm’s investment businesses span private equity and real assets (Arctos Keystone) and premier sports franchises (Arctos Sports), delivering bespoke capital solutions, differentiated insights, and purpose-built operating capabilities to industry leaders in both markets. The firm’s innovative approach is anchored by its unique quantitative research and data science platform, Arctos Insights. Arctos has a team of more than 75 investment and operational professionals with expertise across industries, geographies, and economic cycles. The firm is headquartered in Dallas, with office locations in New York, Boston, and London. KKR – KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries.
“ United States $744 Billion Private Equity Firm KKR Buys United States $15 Billion Private Equity & Professional Sports Investment Firm Arctos Partners for $1.4 Billion (Include $550 Million Contingent), Founded in 2019 by Ian Charles & David O’Connor (ex-President of Madison Square Garden Company Which Owns Assets Including NBA Basketball Team New York Knicks & Venue Madison Square Garden) “
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United States $723 Billion Private Equity Firm KKR to Buy United States Private Equity & Professional Sports Investment Firm Arctos Partners at $1 Billion Valuation, Founded in 2019 by Ian Charles & David O’Connor (ex-President of Madison Square Garden Company Which Owns Assets Including NBA Basketball Team New York Knicks & Venue Madison Square Garden)
7th January – United States private equity firm KKR ($723 billion AUM) is reported be buying United States private equity & professional sports investment firm Arctos Partners at $1 billion valuation. Arctos Partners was founded in 2019 by Ian Charles & David O’Connor (ex-President of Madison Square Garden Company which owns assets including NBA basketball team New York Knicks & venue Madison Square Garden). In 2025 September, Arctos launched Arctos Capital Markets to provide HNW investors with sports ownership opportunities. Announcement (30/9/25): Arctos, a private investment firm that provides bespoke growth and liquidity solutions to sports franchises (Arctos Sports) and alternative asset managers (Arctos Keystone), today announced the launch of Arctos Capital Markets (“ACM”), a new business line dedicated to identifying and connecting qualified high net worth investors directly with professional sports ownership opportunities. Leveraging the firm’s proprietary network of potential investors, data science platform, industry relationships, and investment pipeline, Arctos believes it is uniquely positioned to unlock capital for its partners and the broader sports ecosystem. As the only private investment firm approved to own equity across all five major North American professional leagues, Arctos is the largest institutional owner of North American sports equity globally, with over 25 portfolio franchises. Since 2024, Arctos has invested significant resources to build a dedicated ACM team and platform, generating what Arctos believes are strong early results. Notably, ACM facilitated the sale of a controlling interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning to a new ownership group. The group has also worked with syndicate investors for primary and secondary franchise capital raises and control ownership groups.” Arctos Partners – Arctos is a private investment firm designed to catalyze growth and unlock value in complex, illiquid, and underserved markets. Founded in 2019, the firm’s investment businesses span private equity and real assets (Arctos Keystone) and premier sports franchises (Arctos Sports), delivering bespoke capital solutions, differentiated insights, and purpose-built operating capabilities to industry leaders in both markets. The firm’s innovative approach is anchored by its unique quantitative research and data science platform, Arctos Insights. Arctos has a team of more than 70 investment and operational professionals with expertise across industries, geographies, and economic cycles. The firm is headquartered in Dallas, with office locations in New York, Boston, and London.
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