Which were the most prolific sports acquisitions ever?
Sports acquisitions, where one team or organization buys another, are common in the world of sports. Some of the most prolific sports acquisitions ever include:
- Disney’s acquisition of ESPN: In 1996, Disney purchased a controlling stake in ESPN for $19.5 billion, making it one of the largest sports acquisitions in history.
- Liberty Media’s acquisition of Formula One: In 2017, Liberty Media acquired Formula One in a deal worth $4.4 billion. This acquisition gave Liberty Media control over the commercial rights to the sport, which generates significant revenue from advertising, sponsorships, and broadcast rights.
- Steve Ballmer’s acquisition of the Los Angeles Clippers: In 2014, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion, a record-breaking price for an NBA team.
- Manchester City’s acquisition by Abu Dhabi United Group: In 2008, the Abu Dhabi United Group purchased Manchester City Football Club for a reported $300 million. The investment has paid off, as Manchester City has since become one of the most successful soccer teams in the world.
- Amazon’s acquisition of Thursday Night Football: In 2021, Amazon purchased the exclusive broadcast rights to Thursday Night Football for a reported $1.2 billion per year. This acquisition marked Amazon’s first foray into live sports broadcasting, and highlights the growing importance of streaming platforms in the sports industry.
These are just a few examples of some of the most prolific sports acquisitions in history. As the sports industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we will see more high-profile acquisitions in the years to come.
