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Collaborative Fund Invests in D.C. United, Following Thrive Capital's Pro Sports Ownership Model
Key points
- Collaborative Fund invested in D.C. United and Audi Field.
- Thrive Capital previously acquired a stake in the San Francisco Giants.
- Thrive also bought the Lakers for $12.5 billion via Thrive Eternal.
- VC firms are now entering pro sports ownership, distinct from PE or individual wealth.
Collaborative Fund Enters Sports Ownership
Collaborative Fund, a New York-based venture firm with approximately $1 billion under management, has taken a stake in the D.C. United soccer club and its stadium, Audi Field. This investment marks Collaborative Fund's entry into professional sports ownership.
Following Thrive Capital's Precedent
Collaborative Fund's move mirrors a trend initiated by Thrive Capital, which recently launched Thrive Eternal, a vehicle designed to hold "iconic franchises and cultural institutions." Thrive Eternal acquired a stake in the San Francisco Giants and later purchased the Lakers for $12.5 billion, with former Disney CEO Bob Iger joining as co-owner.
New Approach to Sports Investment
Historically, professional sports ownership has been dominated by individual tech fortunes or private equity firms. Examples include Vinod Khosla's family acquiring the Seattle Seahawks and stakes in the San Francisco 49ers, and private equity firms like Sixth Street, Ares, RedBird, and Arctos holding various sports team interests. The entry of venture capital firms like Thrive and Collaborative Fund represents a different investment model, with Thrive using a dedicated permanent-capital vehicle and Collaborative Fund investing from its existing early-stage fund.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Collaborative Fund, a venture capital firm, has acquired a stake in the soccer club D.C. United and its stadium, Audi Field. This move follows Thrive Capital's recent entry into professional sports ownership, signaling a new trend of venture capital firms investing in sports franchises.