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Steve Young’s HGGC Raises $3.2B
Sports are moving quickly, and the people who understand why it’s moving will be the ones who lead it next. The Constant Sports Report exists to help founders, operators, and future executives see around corners, not just read headlines.
Conner Schenk
February 24, 2026
The Lead Story
Steve Young’s HGGC Raises $3.2B.
Signals What’s Coming Next in Sports Capital
This week, HGGC, the private equity firm co-founded by Hall of Famer Steve Young, closed Fund V at $3.2 billion, beating both its target and hard cap in one of the tightest fundraising environments in years. On the surface, it looks like just another strong middle-market raise.
But the real story is what it signals: institutional investors are doubling down on sports-adjacent private equity, not speculative “sports tech hype plays.”
The deeper implication is this:The next decade of sports growth won’t be driven by teams, leagues, or media rights. It will be built on infrastructure, software, data, and operational systems — the kind of durable businesses HGGC specializes in.
For founders, operators, and investors, the takeaway is simple:
The smart capital is going upstream. The opportunity is in the picks-and-shovels layer of sports, not the stadium lights.
Presented by: MASS
Constant Sports is a media-driven platform and private community connecting founders, investors, operators, and emerging talent building and working in the next era of sports and entertainment.
Investment, M&A & Capital Flows
HGGC closes massive $3.2B Fund V
A fundraise of this size — in this market — shows LP appetite for disciplined, operationally strong private equity. It reinforces a broader shift: capital prefers sports “infrastructure” rather than headline-driven assets.(Link)
Novig raises $75M Series B at $500M valuation
Novig continues its push from peer-to-peer betting into fully regulated prediction markets. The capital gives them ammunition as the CFTC reviews market access — and sets up a heavyweight fight with Kalshi and Polymarket. (Link)
PRED secures $2.5M seed led by Accel
Another prediction-market entry, but this time with an exchange-grade infrastructure approach. The sports forecasting landscape is fragmenting fast — and capital is picking sides early.(Link)
Ares expands sports investment strategy to Europe
Ares is launching a sports, media & entertainment offering for wealthy Europeans. Expect more cross-border M&A and more high-net-worth capital flowing into federations, teams, and challenger properties. (Link)
SportIQ closes $6.2M Series A
Smart basketball hardware is moving from novelty to mainstream evaluation tool. NBA Launchpad continues producing investable technology. (Link)
Marquee (Israel) raises $1.2M for AI-driven football scouting
European football scouting inefficiency is a billion-dollar problem. AI-first scouting platforms are becoming the new battleground for transfer market decision-making. (Link)
Movement across teams: Seahawks officially begin sale process
The Seahawks' sale process formally opens, likely to draw bids in the $7–8B range. Institutional capital is circling aggressively. (Link)
Sports Tech & Performance
Whoop becomes the official wearable partner of Ferrari F1
A global performance brand pairing with the world’s most recognizable racing team is a huge credibility signal for sports wearables. Expect Whoop to lean even harder into elite partnerships. (Link)
Oura x Mira and Clair hormone-tracking wearables
Women’s performance technology is beginning its breakout moment. Investors are treating female physiological data as the next frontier. (Link)
Minimis secures funding for smart sunglasses
A direct shot at Garmin and the wearable ecosystem. The hardware wars continue. (Link)
If you’re trying to break into the sports industry or you’re already operating in it, The Constant Sports Community is where founders, students, operators, and investors connect, learn, share deals, and level up.
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Sports Media & Current Events
NBA All-Star viewership hits 8.8M
The best number since 2011. The NBA’s storytelling and format tweaks are resonating with families and casual fans. (Link)
Women’s gold medal hockey sets all-time U.S. record
Team USA vs. Canada drew 5.3M viewers. Women’s sports growth continues compounding. (Link)
Sponsorship, Marketing & Brand Strategy
Visa extends Red Bull Racing partnership through 2030
A blue-chip extension of one of F1’s premier sponsorship assets. Visa is going all-in on global motorsport reach. (Link)
Bluestone Equity inks sleeve deal with USA Archery
PE-backed sponsorships are becoming normal. Bluestone’s playbook mimics CVC’s: use capital to generate brand visibility while scaling sports properties. (Link)
Whoop, Ferrari; Klay Thompson x Anta long-term extension
Athlete-brand partnerships are shifting from endorsements to ownership and long-term infrastructure roles. (Link)
Constant Sports Podcast
Twisted Sports is building a fan-driven sports entertainment network. They’re sports studios powered by audience participation, fan-led decision-making, and a chaos-first creative model.
Jacques Breaks Down:
• How fan-driven franchises will reshape sports media
• Why “chaos engineering” is the future of entertainment
• Twisted’s blueprint for expansion into combat, outdoor, lifestyle, and major sports
• How fans will influence casting, challenges, merch, and the entire creative pipeline
• How Twisted Sports plans to become a global distribution powerhouse
If you’re trying to break into the sports industry or you’re already operating in it, the Constant Sports Community is where founders, students, operators, and investors connect, learn, share deals, and level up.
Join here: https://www.constantsportsco.com/