Global investment manager Ares Management is set to broaden its sports portfolio with the launch of a new vertical vehicle specifically targeting the European market. Following the successful deployment of its U.S.-focused fund in 2025, Ares is now pivoting toward European competitions, clubs, and sports-media enterprises.
According to reports from Bloomberg, this new fund will utilize a hybrid strategy, providing both debt and equity capital to capitalize on the structural shifts in European sports broadcasting and league centralization.
Capitalizing on the European Market
Ares Management views the current European landscape as a prime opportunity driven by several key factors:
- Predictable Revenue Streams: The centralization of media rights at the league level has created more stable, long-term cash flows.
- Live Content Demand: The surging global appetite for unscripted live content makes sports assets highly resilient.
- Strategic Partnerships: Ares is reportedly in talks with CVC Capital Partners to refinance its Global Sport Group (GSG) portfolio, currently valued at over €10 billion.
From SailGP to Global Portfolios
Ares is no stranger to high-profile European entries. The firm recently acquired a minority stake in the France SailGP Team, joining a prestigious investor consortium that includes football superstar Kylian Mbappé.
To manage this specialized division, Ares Sports Media & Entertainment Finance has assembled an elite advisory board, featuring sports icons such as Mia Hamm and Grant Hill, alongside industry experts like Mike Ford of Sportsology. This board will oversee the deployment of capital, following a record 2025 where Ares invested in 106 companies with a combined valuation of nearly $600 million.