MSP Sports Capital has acquired a majority stake in the New Zealand SailGP Team, also known as the Black Foils, according to NYT. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The New York-based investment firm’s acquisition gives SailGP a major milestone: all 13 national teams in the league are now majority owned by strategic third-party partners.
The Black Foils are led by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, both decorated sailors with America’s Cup and Olympic success.
MSP Sports Capital’s broader sports investment portfolio includes the X Games League and several European soccer clubs.
SailGP was launched in 2019 by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts. The league was initially built around a centrally owned team model, with teams racing identical 50-foot foiling catamarans. A core part of the league’s strategy has been transitioning teams into private ownership.
The New Zealand team was one of the final teams still owned by SailGP. The sale reflects growing investor interest in SailGP as the league continues expanding globally and developing a franchise-style ownership structure.
Sports Business Journal reported that SailGP Managing Director Andy Thompson said the valuation represented a new high for the sale of a majority stake in a SailGP team.
SailGP retained a minority stake in the New Zealand team, and Burling and Tuke also retained minority ownership. The league could divest its remaining stake within the next year.
The transaction comes during a period of private investment activity across SailGP, including recent team sales involving Denmark’s Rockwool Racing and other national teams.
The deal gives MSP Sports Capital control of one of SailGP’s most recognizable teams and adds another high-profile asset to its sports platform.
