Arctos Partners is an American private equity firm founded in 2019 by Ian Charles and David "Doc" O'Connor, and primarily invests minority stakes in sports franchises.
In 2020, Theo Epstein, the former general manager for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, joined the company and served as a strategic advisor for the company's ventures into baseball and partnership with Fenway Sports Group. In January 2026, KKR & Co. acquired the company in a deal which valued Arctos at $1 billion.
Brands and properties Arctos owns majority stakes in a number of professional sports teams, including the following: +TeamLeagueYear AcquiredOwnership PercentageInvestment AmountNotesAkron RubberDucksMinor League Baseball (Eastern League (Double-A))2025Through Prospector Baseball Group(PBG)Atalanta BCSerie A2022$36MBoston Red SoxMajor League Baseball (MLB)Through investment in Fenway Sports GroupBuffalo BillsNational Football League (NFL)202410%$560MChicago CubsMajor League Baseball (MLB)Golden State WarriorsNational Basketball Association (NBA)20218% originally, but increased to about 13%$715MHouston AstrosMajor League Baseball (MLB)Jacksonville Jumbo ShrimpMinor League Baseball (International League (Triple-A))Through Prospector Baseball Group (PBG)Joe Gibbs RacingNASCARMinority stake along with Harris Blitzer Sports & EntertainmentLancaster StormersMinor League Baseball (Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (Independent league))Through Prospector Baseball Group (PBG)Liverpool F.C.Premier LeagueThrough investment in Fenway Sports GroupLos Angeles ChargersNational Football League (NFL)20258%Los Angeles DodgersMajor League Baseball (MLB)Minnesota WildNational Hockey League (NHL)New Jersey DevilsNational Hockey League (NHL)Through investment in Harris Blitzer Sports & EntertainmentParis Saint-Germain FCLigue 1202312.5%€530MPhiladelphia 76ersNational Basketball Association (NBA)Through investment in Harris Blitzer Sports & EntertainmentPittsburgh PenguinsNational Hockey League (NHL)Sacramento KingsNational Basketball Association (NBA)202117%$306MPurchased some shares from Shaquille O'Neal in 2022 after he had a conflict of interestSan Diego PadresMajor League Baseball (MLB)San Francisco GiantsMajor League Baseball (MLB)Tampa Bay LightningNational Hockey League (NHL)2023Sold in 2024Utah JazzNational Basketball Association (NBA)Through Smith Entertainment Group (SEG)Utah MammothNational Hockey League (NHL)Washington CapitalsNational Hockey League (NHL)2025Through Monumental Sports & EntertainmentWashington MysticsWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA)2025Through Monumental Sports & EntertainmentWashington WizardsNational Basketball Association (NBA)2025Through Monumental Sports & Entertainment Arctos also has investments outside of sports franchises, including investments in SeatGeek; DraftKings; and 359 Capital. In addition, Arctos has shares in the Professional Lacrosse League and college sports firm, Elevate.
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