About SportsCapIQ.
The publication
SportsCapIQ is an independent research publication covering capital flows, ownership transactions, and valuation dynamics in North American professional sports. It was founded in 2026 to provide structured, source-backed analysis at a level of rigor the sports industry has demanded but rarely produced.
Each article is researched and written individually, applying the analytical approach used in investment banking and private equity research to franchise M&A. SportsCapIQ covers the financial mechanics of ownership — not narratives, not gossip, not fan-facing commentary. It is written for finance professionals, students, and anyone serious about understanding sports as an asset class.
The publication consists of three core deliverables: deal teardowns analyzing individual transactions, a continuously updated database of franchise transactions, and long-form research reports on focused market themes. Each piece is sourced, dated, and labeled for confidence. The full methodology is documented publicly.
What's covered
Franchise transactions
Control sales, minority stakes, expansion fees, and recapitalizations across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
Institutional capital
The private equity firms, family offices, and sovereign investors entering sports ownership — and the rules that govern their participation.
Valuation analysis
Implied valuations, revenue multiples, comparable transaction analysis, and the limits of traditional financial methods when applied to sports franchises.
League economics
Ownership rules, media rights structures, stadium economics, and the league-level dynamics shaping investor opportunity.
Raj Keswani
Raj Keswani is the founder and author of SportsCapIQ. He is a student at Vanderbilt University studying Human and Organizational Development with minors in Business and Data Science. His research and analysis have focused on M&A, private equity, and institutional capital flows in professional sports.
Outside of SportsCapIQ, he is the founder of Sports Forward, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has raised $17,500 to deliver sports equipment and educational programs to children across rural India.
- →Every claim is sourced. Every number has a date and a citation.
- →Estimates are labeled as estimates. Implied valuations are clearly distinguished from reported figures.
- →SportsCapIQ does not accept sponsorships, payments, or compensation for coverage of any individual, team, league, or firm.
- →All analysis is published for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.
For the full methodology and data standards behind this work, see the Methodology page.
Questions, feedback, or corrections?
Email raj.keswani@vanderbilt.edu or reach out via LinkedIn. SportsCapIQ takes accuracy seriously and welcomes corrections, source suggestions, and substantive feedback.