Sports

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group and co-chair of Herrick's Corporate Department, was quoted in Outkick in an article discussing reports that the Big Ten Conference is considering taking on investment from private equity firms. 

The article discusses the different options that the conference is exploring, including strategic or capital partnerships, that would help modernize how the conference works and functions on behalf of its members. However, the article notes that there are challenges to private equity investment in college sports because state universities are publicly run. 

Further, according to the article, the fact that a college football conference is talking to private equity firms is a bellwether of how much money is generated by college football programs. "Private equity doesn't invest unless there's a real chance of significant return. And while football has to subsidize other sports, it's a booming business. Ratings, interest, and the expanded playoff are all contributing."

The article quoted an interview with Irwin from The Athletic. "The revenue size of the Big Ten is enormous," Irwin stated. "There are several other sides to it, including merchandising and streaming, potentially, or probably, the in-game experience, potential rights to ultimately restructure. There’s some definite opportunities in that space that could produce significant returns."

Read the full article in Outkick here. Access may require a subscription.