A-Leagues sell 30% stake to US private equity firm Silver Lake

Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has this morning advised that US-based private equity firm Silver Lake has acquired a 30% stake in the organisation.

Advising of Silver Lake’s minority investment in the League, APL stated that “the investment will drive technology enhancements and innovation aimed at improving the fan experience and driving further development of the game in Australia”

Valuing the APL at approximately $425 million, the investment by Silver Lake - which invests in entertainment, sport and technology - is also expected to fund the acquisition of marquee players for the men’s and women’s Leagues.

Welcoming the investment, A-Leagues Chair Paul Lederer stated “this valuation recognises the latent potential that has long existed in the professional game in Australia, and the ability of our board and executive team to realise that potential.

“We welcome the opportunity to work closely with Silver Lake to harness the team’s experience, including around new technology adoption and other growth strategies critical to realising the potential of Australian football.”

Stephen Evans, Managing Director at Silver Lake, will become a part of the body’s board under the terms of the APL deal, added “the Australian Professional Leagues has a large, growing and passionate fan base across its 13 teams and the organisation has made great strides as it focuses on leveraging technology to strengthen Australian football and enrich the fan experience.”

APL took over the running of the A-Leagues in an unbundling from Football Australia in December last year.

The 2021/22 season is the first campaign to be fully operated under the APL’s charge with a new broadcast partner in ViacomCBS via Network 10 and the Paramount Plus streaming app.

Both leagues also have new naming rights sponsors and a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with Professional Footballers Australia was announced in September.

Silver Lake, which is based in California, has an estimated $US88 billion in assets under management and has invested in sports regularly over the past couple of years including a $US500 million deal to buy a 10% stake in the City Football Group - the parent company of English Premier League champions Manchester City and A-League Mens champions Melbourne City.

A deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars between the firm and New Zealand Rugby to acquire a stake in the All Blacks brand rights was also revealed earlier this year but has met resistance among rugby union stakeholders.

The Silver Lake transaction has been approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and Football Australia.