Apple also holds global streaming rights, which has unlocked new markets for the league. Lionel Messi’s Miami arrival activated massive South American viewership in 2023, while Son Heung-min’s move to LAFC this summer ignited new audiences across Asia. Not surprisingly, Messi and Son finished No. 1 and No. 2 in league jersey sales.

Elysian Park Ventures — the private investment arm behind the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group — has dropped $7 million into the International Dance League (IDL), the first global professional sports league built entirely around dance. Founded by the creators of STEEZY, the digital dance platform that helped define online choreo culture, IDL is gearing up for an early-2026 debut.

Why Private Equity Loves Sports Right Now

Sports have two things investors crave: scarcity and passion-driven demand.

Clubs come with generational loyalty, global audiences, built-in brands, and predictable revenue. But the real unlock? Technology.

IBM has long been at the center of that evolution — from Wimbledon’s AI-driven match insights to the Masters’ digital experiences and Ferrari’s data-driven performance analytics. Now, the company is channeling that legacy into supporting startups directly.

This is a blueprint on how teams are using sports tech to fuel not only innovation but to drive revenue streams. Find out how Sports Tech Atlanta is working with sports tech companies, teams, and leagues to fuel this new drive