KKR announced it completed its previously announced acquisition of Arctos Partners, an institutional investor focused on professional sports franchise stakes and capital solutions for alternative asset managers.
According to the companies, the transaction received all required sports league approvals prior to closing. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Founded in 2019 by Ian Charles and Doc O’Connor, Arctos Partners manages approximately $16 billion in assets under management and has built one of the world’s largest institutional portfolios of professional sports franchise investments. The firm also provides structured capital and liquidity solutions to alternative asset managers through its Arctos Keystone business.
Following the acquisition, Arctos will become part of KKR Solutions, a newly created investing division within KKR led by Ian Charles. The business will include Arctos Sports, Arctos Keystone, and a broader multi-asset class secondaries platform that KKR plans to expand over time.
KKR said the acquisition strengthens its sourcing, origination, and alternative investment capabilities while expanding its presence in professional sports and GP capital solutions markets.
Arctos Partners was founded to provide institutional capital solutions within underserved and illiquid markets, particularly professional sports franchises and alternative asset management firms. The company also developed a quantitative research and data science platform called Arctos Insights to support investment analysis and operational strategy.
The firm employs more than 75 investment and operational professionals and operates offices in Dallas, New York, Boston, and London.
KKR is a global investment firm focused on private equity, credit, infrastructure, real assets, insurance, and alternative investment strategies.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are thrilled to welcome Arctos to KKR. Our firms have strong cultural alignment and shared entrepreneurial roots. Ian and Doc have built a highly distinctive market leading platform, and we look forward to partnering with them and their team to support the continued growth of the business and further strengthen KKR’s sourcing and origination capabilities.”
Joe Bae & Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs, KKR
“This transaction is a milestone for Arctos and our partners, representing the strength of our strategy and KKR’s belief in our team.”
Ian Charles & Doc O’Connor, Managing Partners, Arctos Partners
“With KKR’s deep expertise and global platform, we are well positioned to accelerate our mission of building a differentiated investment platform that delivers innovative, tailored capital solutions to sports franchises and alternative asset managers, while expanding our impact across the industries we serve.”
Ian Charles & Doc O’Connor, Managing Partners, Arctos Partners
