Where the Wealthy Are Betting Big on Sports

Wealthy families are putting their money into sports, but not just any sports. They're focusing on the big leagues, like the NFL and NBA, and leaving smaller or women's sports behind.

A Recent Study Shows a Trend

A recent study shows that one in four wealthy families have already invested in sports teams or related businesses. Another quarter are thinking about it. This is a big deal because it shows that even though they're investing less in startups, sports are still a hot commodity for them.

Examples of Recent Investments

• Julia Koch, who inherited a lot of money from her late husband, just bought a part of the New York Giants.
• Mark Walter, the head of Guggenheim Partners, recently bought a big chunk of the Los Angeles Lakers for a whopping $10 billion.
• Even some families from the Bay Area got in on the action, buying a piece of the San Francisco 49ers.

The Neglect of Women's and Smaller Leagues

But here's the thing: these wealthy families aren't really interested in women's sports or smaller leagues. Only a small number have invested in or are thinking about investing in women's leagues, even though they're growing in popularity. And even fewer are interested in men's minor leagues.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are some exceptions, though. A few billionaires have recently bought WNBA teams, but they're not doing it for the money. They're doing it because they believe the value of these teams will go up in the future.

Why Are They Investing in Sports?

According to Meena Flynn from Goldman Sachs, it's because they're passionate about it and they're in it for the long haul. They can afford to wait for their investments to pay off.

A Question to Consider

Is it fair that these wealthy families are only investing in the big leagues? Shouldn't they be supporting smaller or women's sports too? It's something to consider, especially as these sports continue to grow in popularity.