What Sports Teams Can You Buy Stock In?

Sports captivate audiences across the nation, leading many enthusiasts to consider investing in their favorite teams. While direct ownership of most professional sports teams is not typically accessible to the general public, specific avenues exist for sports-related investments through publicly traded entities. Understanding these pathways requires navigating the unique structures of sports team ownership and the broader financial markets.

The Structure of Sports Team Ownership

Most professional sports teams operate as privately held entities. This private structure allows owners to maintain substantial control over team operations and financial decisions. Leagues often impose rules that favor individual or small group ownership, limiting corporate involvement to preserve specific governance models.

High valuation barriers to entry also contribute to this private model, as acquiring a controlling stake in a major sports franchise typically requires immense capital. Additionally, private ownership enables teams to keep financial and operational details confidential, avoiding the public scrutiny and disclosure requirements associated with publicly traded companies. Direct stock purchases in most individual sports teams are not possible for the general public.

Publicly Traded Sports-Related Companies

While most teams remain privately held, limited instances allow for public investment in sports-related entities. The Green Bay Packers, for example, maintain a unique publicly owned, non-profit corporate structure, grandfathered into the NFL’s rules. Shares in the Packers do not offer equity, dividends, or financial returns, and they cannot be traded on an open market; instead, they represent voting rights and a contribution to the team’s operations, often for stadium improvements.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) represents another avenue, operating as a publicly traded holding company that owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Liberty Media is a diversified media company with significant sports holdings. Liberty Media previously held the Atlanta Braves (MLB), which were spun off into a separate publicly traded entity, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BATRA, BATRK). Liberty Media also holds a controlling interest in Formula 1 (NASDAQ: FWONA, FWONK), allowing investors to gain an indirect stake in these sports properties through purchasing stock in the respective holding companies.

Acquiring Shares in Sports-Related Companies

Acquiring shares in publicly traded sports-related companies generally begins with opening an investment account with a licensed brokerage firm. Many online brokerage platforms facilitate this process, requiring basic identification and financial information. Once the account is established, funds must be deposited through various methods, such as bank transfers or electronic payments.

After funding the account, investors can search for specific stock tickers, such as MSGS for Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., or FWONA/FWONK for Liberty Media’s Formula 1 group, and BATRA/BATRK for Atlanta Braves Holdings. A buy order can then be placed, with options like a market order to execute at the best available price or a limit order to specify a maximum purchase price. For the unique case of Green Bay Packers shares, the purchase process differs significantly. These shares are typically acquired directly from the team during specific offering periods, and they are not available for purchase through traditional stock exchanges or brokerage accounts.

Understanding Sports-Related Public Investments

Shareholders typically do not have a say in team management or player decisions. The value of these stocks is influenced by a range of factors beyond just a team’s on-field performance.

Overall market conditions, the parent company’s diverse revenue streams, and significant media rights deals play a substantial role in stock price fluctuations. League-wide performance and fan engagement also contribute to the financial health of these entities. These investments are subject to general stock market dynamics and business performance, with financial returns being the primary investment consideration. This distinguishes them from the more symbolic ownership model of the Green Bay Packers.