Private equity major KKR has struck a deal to buy Arctos Partners in a transaction valuing the sports- and secondaries-focused investment firm at about $1 billion, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Under the agreement, Arctos will largely remain intact operationally, with co-founder Ian Charles expected to continue running the business while other senior executives stay on under a package that includes KKR equity.
The firms are seeking approval for the transaction from the major US professional sports leagues, the report added.
The acquisition comes as KKR looks to deepen its presence in pro sports and expand further into private-market secondaries. Sports investing has pulled in institutional capital due to its rising franchise valuations and looser rules around minority ownership.
KKR plans to use its balance sheet to fund the acquisition and place Arctos within its asset-management division, according to the report.
Arctos manages roughly $15 billion and has built a reputation as an early specialist in minority stakes across franchises. Its holdings include positions tied to teams in the NBA and MLB, as well as stakes linked to the NFL and NHL, Bloomberg said.
Arctos also owns stakes in European football giants Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain and is a minority investor in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.
The firms are seeking sign-off from major U.S. sports leagues for the ownership change, the people said. The review process can include checks aimed at preventing conflicts of interest involving players.
The acquisition builds on KKR’s broader march into sports-related assets. In 2024, KKR agreed to buy Varsity Brands, a major provider of sports uniforms, cheer apparel, and related businesses, for about $4.75 billion, including debt, in one of the firm’s biggest sports-adjacent bets.
In Asia, KKR is doubling down on the region as it heads into 2026, citing underweight investor positioning, ongoing corporate reforms, and long-term consumption growth across the region.
The PE firm is backing this view with aggressive fundraising, reportedly targeting $15 billion for a new Asia buyout fund, alongside sizeable pan-Asia infrastructure and private credit vehicles.
It sees Japan and South Korea as standout opportunities for corporate carve-outs and take-privates.
