Private investment firm Arktos Partners has closed its second fund, the latest version of its flagship sports fund, Arktos Sports Partners Fund II, with more than $4.1 billion in capital commitments. With this capital increase, Arctos’ sports-related assets under management are approximately $7 billion. Arctos owns the Golden State Warriors, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Aston Martin F1 team, Paris Saint-Germain FC, and more.
Through two funds, Arctos has amassed the most institutional capital in the world dedicated to investing in professional sports franchises.
“Arktos was built with the purpose of bringing more than capital to our partner teams, leagues and businesses,” said Ian Charles, co-managing partner and co-founder of Arktos. “By combining data science-backed insights with deep operational and domain expertise, we are a trusted partner for leading sports franchises and limited partners seeking access to this robust and durable industry. We are all extremely grateful for the support of our investors and the leagues, owners and operators who have chosen to partner with us.”
Approximately 30% of Fund II’s capital is owned by Smith Entertainment Group, the holding company that owns the Utah Jazz, Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, owner of the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, and Paris Saint-Germain. It is used for several investments such as FC. Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team. Arctos is currently the only institutional investor permitted to invest in multiple MLB, NBA and NHL teams.
“In just over three years, we have seen a significant increase in demand for sports as an asset class,” said Doc O’Connor, co-managing partner and co-founder of Arctos. . “We are uniquely positioned as a growth partner to innovate, develop opportunities and transform the markets we participate in. The success of Fund II positions us well at the forefront of the professional sports ownership market. there is.”
Alliance Texas to build Texas’ first public commercial EV charging facility
Austin-based fleet electrification solutions company Gage Zero and local developer Hillwood plan to develop Texas’ first public commercial EV charging facility for truck and last-mile fleets at Alliance Texas. . Developed on a 2,500-acre master-planned community, the EV charging facility will occupy 27,000 acres and serve customers around the world.
“This groundbreaking initiative exemplifies our unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of our customers and driving sustainable infrastructure solutions,” said Russell Laughlin, vice president of Hillwood. “We expect the implementation of innovative technologies to significantly improve transportation efficiency, especially in the critical first-mile and last-mile segments of the logistics supply chain. Our vision is to build on AllianceTexas’ advanced infrastructure. It’s about strengthening the ecosystem and further empowering companies to grow, while enabling them to meet tomorrow’s supply chain resiliency and reliability challenges.”
The Gage Zero team, led by Zeina El-Azzi, has a combined $10 billion of experience deploying clean energy projects around the world. The company plans to develop, own and operate Alliance Texas EV charging hubs as part of a planned network of locations across the U.S. Last year, Gauge Zero announced plans to develop charging infrastructure sites for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. He promised $300 million.
“Hillwood is exactly the type of collaborator Gage Zero wants to work with to fulfill our mission,” El Azzi said. “As innovators and leaders in the industry, we can work together to solve the complexities of both land development and medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification in convenient locations for our fleet customers. Projects like this will serve as a blueprint for how fleets across the country can partner with land and clean energy developers to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their sustainability goals.”
Alliance Texas consists of the Alliance Texas Mobility Innovation Zone, the BNSF Alliance Intermodal Transportation Facility, and Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The region is home to 575 companies, creates more than 66,000 jobs, and owns approximately 58 million square feet of commercial real estate assets. The cumulative impact of this development since 1989 is estimated at $120 billion in the North Texas region.
Digital supply chain company Blue Yonder acquires one network
Digital supply chain company Blue Yonder has committed to acquire Dallas-based One Network Enterprises for $839 million, subject to adjustments. One Network, a provider of digital supplies in his chain, is known for its services as a global provider of intelligent control towers.
“Supply chains continue to be fragmented and overwhelmed by disruption,” said Greg Brady, chairman and founder of One Network. “What is needed is an integrated platform that enables multi-layer orchestration, planning, and collaboration to accelerate processes with autonomous and semi-autonomous decision-making and execution across trading partners. The next step in building a collaborative supply chain with Blue Yonder. Blue Yonder offers the industry’s most complete portfolio, from planning to execution. By combining our network with a multi-company, multi-tier platform, We are ready to form the backbone of this new supply chain of the future.”
The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2024. Once completed, this transaction will represent approximately $1 billion in M&A investment for Blue Yonder since the fourth quarter of 2023 across three acquisitions.
“Supply chains are becoming more complex,” said Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder. “More companies are reducing risk by diversifying product sourcing around the world, increasing the demand for sharing information and resources across the value chain. Added to this is the need to reduce disruption and geopolitical risks. Growth is forcing organizations to build more resilient and robust supply chains. Combined with the capabilities of One Network, Blue Yonder is resilient enough to withstand today’s challenges. , positions us as a leading supply chain solutions company capable of delivering an integrated end-to-end supply chain ecosystem, integrated with innovative, future-proof technologies.”
Connected data centers secure equity investment from CenterSquare
Investment management company CenterSquare has invested in private data center developer Aligned Data Centers. The investment was facilitated through a partnership between Center Square and Macquarie Asset Management. Funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management hold a majority stake in Aligned.
“CenterSquare’s investment is a great validation of our vision and growth strategy,” said Aligned CEO Andrew Schaap. “This investment will further accelerate Aligned’s expansion and enable the development of next-generation data center infrastructure to support the proliferation of AI and hyperscale computing.”
Founded in 1987, CenterSquare Investment Management is an independent, employee-owned real estate management company with $13 billion in assets under management as of December 2023. This funding will support the expansion of a portfolio of sustainable data center facilities aimed at meeting the strong demand for digital infrastructure solutions. .
Summit Financial Group acquires Compass Benefit Solutions
Summit Financial Group, a national benefits company specializing in insurance and investments, has acquired Compass Benefit Solutions, one of Oklahoma’s largest benefits companies. This acquisition makes Summit one of the top brokerage firms in the Southwest. Dale Young, chairman and CEO of Summit Financial Group, said the goal of the acquisition is to provide a full-service brokerage firm to the employer market throughout Oklahoma. Ta.
“The key to success in today’s market is service,” Young said. “We all need to remember this and always make it our top business objective. Exceptional service is what sets us apart from our competitors, and Oklahoma’s employer market is in desperate need. It gives them the experience they need.”
Todd Rowland, president of Summit Financial Group’s Southern Region, said Compass’ business practices are consistent with Summit’s mission and goals for the small group market. He added that the summit focuses on the long-term market needs of quality brokerages.
“This acquisition allows us to expand our presence throughout Oklahoma and will be a great asset to our customers in the region,” Rowland said. “Ken and his team bring tremendous experience and a commitment to service that will ensure we meet the overwhelming service and support needs of the small business market.”
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