Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund Closes at $1B

Avenue Capital’s new fund hits 10 figures, with investments spanning teams, leagues, media, and women’s sports.

September 30, 2025

Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund Closes With $1B in Commitments
Avenue Capital Group, led by chairman and CEO Marc Lasry, has closed its Avenue Sports Fund with more than $1 billion in commitments. The fund, launched in 2023, invests across teams, leagues, and sports-related companies, with stakes in properties including TGL’s Bay Golf Club, media company Cosm, the Baltimore Orioles, Ipswich Town FC, and the U.S. SailGP Team. It also emphasizes women’s sports, with investments in Mercury/13 and prior bids for NWSL clubs. Lasry, a former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner, sold his stake in the franchise last year as he launched the fund.
^Sportico

Athletes.org Tax Docs Reveal Prospective College Union Finances
Sportico reports Athletes.org, the college players association launched by INFLCR founder Jim Cavale, received $3.1 million in loans through his for-profit Athletes Innovations during its first two years. Now recognized as a 501(c)(4), AO reported $2.14 million in 2024 expenses against just $8,800 in revenue, with liabilities over $3.2 million. An AO spokesperson defended the arrangement, saying it was “in keeping with industry standard practices and IRS guidance” and vetted by multiple law firms. The group, which counts 4,600 athlete members, is positioning itself for group licensing and collective bargaining in college sports.
^Sportico

Palou-McLaren Lawsuit Nears Resolution With $25M at Stake
The contract dispute between McLaren and IndyCar champion Alex Palou is now in trial in the U.K., moving toward a long-awaited resolution. McLaren is seeking roughly $25 million in damages tied to lost sponsorships, inflated driver costs, and repayment of a $400,000 signing bonus after Palou stayed with Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou’s legal team is pushing back, arguing the valuations are inflated and any judgment should be far smaller.
^RACER

Fever Star Aliyah Boston Poised To Land NBC/Peacock Deal
Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston, 23, is finalizing a deal to return to NBC Sports and Peacock as a studio and possible game analyst for Big Ten basketball. The 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year first worked with Peacock during the 2023–24 season and is following the dual path of athletes like Greg Olsen and Chiney Ogwumike who balance broadcasting with active playing careers.
^{Front Office Sports}

Serie A Weighs Options for International Media Rights
Italy’s Serie A is reviewing ways to strengthen its overseas media business, which currently generates about €250 million annually—far behind the Premier League. With JP Morgan advising, options include selling a minority stake in a new media unit or striking long-term partnerships with agencies like Peak or IRIS. A final plan could be presented to clubs by year’s end as Serie A looks to boost global reach amid rising competition from other leagues.
^Reuters

Naoi Osaka’s Hana Kuma Partners With REVOLT Sports to Launch Original Programming
Naomi Osaka’s media company Hana Kuma has teamed up with REVOLT Sports to launch original programming centered on women athletes. The collaboration will produce digital content and live events featuring interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and athlete-driven storytelling that highlights both on-field success and cultural impact. The initiative reflects Hana Kuma’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices and marks a significant push by REVOLT Sports to elevate women shaping sports culture.
^COMPLEX

New Orleans To Host 2027-28 College Football Playoff National Championship, source says
New Orleans will host the College Football Playoff National Championship for the 2027 season, a person familiar with the decision said. The game will return to the Superdome on Jan. 24, 2028, its first time there since LSU’s win over Clemson in 2020. Miami hosts this season’s title game, with Las Vegas set for 2026.
^{FOX Sports}

Giants owner John Mara announces he's been diagnosed with cancer
New York Giants owner John Mara, 70, announced he has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment as recommended by his doctors. Mara did not disclose the type of cancer but said he feels “strong and optimistic” and plans to remain active as team president and CEO during treatment. The Mara family has owned the franchise since its founding in 1925.
^AP/NFL

Comcast elevates Mike Cavanagh, creates co-CEO structure
Comcast will elevate president Mike Cavanagh to co-CEO alongside Brian Roberts on January 1, marking the first time a non-Roberts family member has held the top role. Cavanagh, who has overseen NBC Universal since 2023, will help guide the company through its planned cable spinoff into Versant and ongoing broadband subscriber losses. Roberts will remain chairman and co-CEO, retaining controlling family ownership.
^TheDesk

Chris Haynes, Marcus Thompson Join Amazon Prime NBA Team
FOS’ Ryan Glasspiegel reports Amazon Prime has hired veteran insider Chris Haynes and The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson to bolster its NBA coverage in its first year broadcasting the league. The hires follow analyst additions like Kyle Lowry, Rudy Gay, and Jim Jackson, joining a broadcast lineup led by Ian Eagle, Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, and Dwyane Wade.
^{Front Office Sports}

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ESPNU to Air All-Access Special On One of the Nation's Top Mid-Major Programs
ESPNU is set to air a 30-minute all-access special, produced by Sport & Story, on the Fairfield Women’s Basketball program during the 2025–26 season — highlighting the growing demand for original storytelling content in college athletics and on major networks.

The team, coming off back-to-back MAAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history, “has earned its place on the national stage,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann.
^{Fairfield University Athletics}

College-reform bill could generate extra billions by allowing conferences to pool their TV rights
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) will introduce the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act to let college conferences pool and sell media rights collectively, similar to pro leagues. She said the bill aims to “solve the fundamental problem of implementing NIL rights, but also keeping revenue for women’s and Olympic sports and an environment where everyone feels like they can compete.” The proposal would give schools antitrust protection on media deals, ensure local broadcasts remain free-to-air, and direct new revenue toward scholarships and non-revenue sports.
^{NBC Sports}

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