Goldman Sachs Nears $1B Acquisition of Excel Sports Management
Goldman Sachs is finalizing a $1 billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Excel Sports Management, a premier talent agency representing athletes like Tiger Woods and Caitlin Clark. The transaction, expected to be announced next week, underscores the surging valuation of sports-related assets.
The investment bank's asset management division is in advanced talks with Excel's current stakeholders, including private equity firm Shamrock Capital. Excel, founded by veteran agent Jeff Schwartz, has expanded from its basketball roots to dominate representation across major American sports.
This MOVE follows last year's $7 billion sale of Creative Artists Agency to French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, highlighting institutional appetite for sports media rights and celebrity endorsements. The deal positions Goldman to capitalize on the growing convergence of finance and sports entertainment.
