Business
AI will supercharge sports team valuations

A version of this article appeared in CNBC’s Inside Alts newsletter, a guide to the fast-growing world of alternative investments, from private equity and private credit to hedge funds and venture capital. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.
The rise of artificial intelligence is likely to boost the valuations of sports teams and media rights, making sports an even more attractive asset class for investors, according to Ian Charles, managing partner of Arctos Partners.
With AI-generated video and online content becoming more ubiquitous, live sports will become even more important in the battle for attention, Charles told Inside Alts. Since fans will pay more for live experiences and in-person games, team values will continue to climb and generate strong returns, he said.
“Sport is the only must-see, appointment-viewing content,” Charles said. “In a world where people are increasingly lonely and looking for a connection — for the communal, tribal connection you get from watching a sporting event with your friends, being part of your community, crying and screaming and cheering — the value of that to the media landscape and ecosystem is just becoming exponential.”
Arctos is at the center of an investing boom in sports. With $15 billion in assets under management, the Dallas-based firm has helped pioneer the growing role of private equity in sports team ownership and capital raises. It’s the only private equity firm approved to own equity in teams across all five major North American professional leagues – the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS.
The firm has gained such a big lead in sports that it’s become an attractive target for other private equity firms. Bloomberg reported last month that private equity giant KKR has agreed to buy Arctos at a $1 billion valuation, keeping Charles and other top management. Arctos and Charles declined comment on the report.
Yet despite concerns over a bubble in team valuations, Charles said the thesis for sports as an investment is in the early innings.
Team values have two drivers, he said. The first is league revenues, which are distributed among teams and equates to intellectual property. The second is the live entertainment business, driven by stadiums and other revenue that are protected since “no one is allowed to compete with you in your particular form of live entertainment.”
“Those two assets are quite unique,” Charles said. “You have this very durable, very important IP piece, and then this local live entertainment piece.”
Those twin drivers have given major-league sports teams unique characteristics as investments.
Charles said North American sports teams have mostly outperformed public equities during a 3-year, 5-year and 10-year period, with only occasional exceptions. Team values have increased steadily in value, with little volatility. They are also largely uncorrelated with stocks, delivering the elusive “alpha” that many wealthy investors and family offices are always searching for.
Once seen as trophy assets and unprofitable vanity plays for billionaires, sports teams have become more rigorous businesses that are increasingly accessible for investors through private equity funds. In 2024, the NFL voted to approve select PE firms to buy minority stakes in teams, becoming the last of the major U.S. pro leagues to welcome private equity investors.
Nearly 1 in 5 professional sports teams now has some kind of private equity investment, according to JPMorgan. The cumulative returns of the four big major sports leagues – NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL – have surpassed the S&P 500 since 2014, the bank said.
Charles said sports are also “anti-cyclical,” meaning they are less vulnerable to economic cycles and recessions.
“They’ve got this sort of monopolistic local live-entertainment business in sports, that’s really interesting,” he said. “And 70% to 80% of the total revenue in premium sports is long-term and contracted through sponsorships, through media rights, with guaranteed payments and escalators. So it doesn’t matter if GDP goes down or up.”
Not every team or league is a sure bet, however. Charles said Arctos sticks only to the five major leagues. He said emerging sports, like padel, pickleball, E1 Series electric-powerboat racing and others, have yet to prove themselves as durable investments.
“I have no idea which of the professional pickleball leagues is going to be the premium source of content in 20 years,” he said. “I do know that when there is a Super Bowl in 2045 it’s going to command the attention of the entire world.”
If there is one new leagues that can could break out and become a big business, it’s likely to be in women’s sports, he said.
“I think that one of the women’s sports leagues is going to ascend and command global attention,” he said. “I don’t know which one it is. I don’t know where it will be based. One of them is going to capture the energy and the fandom of the globe.”
Business
Omkara, Oaktree pay Rs 1,200 crore to buy GTL debt from Edelweiss
The all-cash deal, valued at about ₹1,200 crore, involves a transfer of stressed debt between asset reconstruction platforms and investors. It was closed in March. The exposure dates back to 2018, when Edelweiss ARC, in partnership with Oaktree and other investors, had acquired nearly 90% of GTL Infra’s loans, then valued at around ₹4,000 crore.
The telecom tower company had defaulted on debt exceeding ₹11,000 crore, triggering multiple restructuring efforts over the years.
People familiar with the latest transaction said Edelweiss had put the exposure on the block as its fund lifecycle neared maturity, prompting a takeout by Omkara.
“This is a 100% cash deal between ARCs. Edelweiss exited and we acquired the exposure,” an executive at one of the firms said on condition of anonymity.
Investors are betting on improved recovery prospects this time. “The underlying business is more or less stable now. The towers are operational, and that improves the chances of recovery,” the person said.
Omkara is understood to be targeting an exit over the next two years, either through asset sales or a negotiated settlement. “The idea is to close the account in about two years-through sale of assets or other recovery mechanisms,” the person added. Omkara and Edelweiss ARC spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment until press time Sunday.
In 2018, after a steep revenue and Ebitda decline following the exit of key clients including Aircel, RCom and Tata Teleservices, GTL Infrastructure sought to deleverage, with lenders assigning 79.34% of its ₹3,226-crore debt to Edelweiss ARC. The firm submitted multiple restructuring proposals from April 2018 onward, expecting a swift resolution, but lenders did not act on these plans and some retained their exposure.
In November 2022, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejected a plea by Canara Bank to initiate insolvency proceedings, ruling that the company remained a viable going concern and did not meet the threshold for admission under the bankruptcy code.
Business
Market, rupee fortunes may prove fickle amid Iran flareup
Stocks and the rupee are seen facing fresh challenges after having recouped losses and strengthened amid easing geopolitical tensions. Last week, the Sensex and Nifty gained up to 1.3%, while broader indices advanced further – the Nifty Midcap 150 rose 3.5% and Smallcap 250 was up 4.4%, extending gains for the second straight week. The rebound faces hurdles if tensions erupt again.
The rupee may open 30-35 paise weaker against the dollar. It closed at 92.93 per dollar on Friday, up 0.30% from the previous close. But traders expect it to slip below 93 due to higher oil prices, after some ships were fired upon as Iran closed the Strait. Satellite imagery late on Sunday showed ships at a standstill, after they had started moving two days before.
“On Friday, things had cooled down a bit after Iran opened the Strait but since then, there have been some volatilities, as a result of which, oil prices have increased,” said Alok Singh, head of treasury at CSB Bank. “It is now turning out to be a market driven by statements from the US and Iran. We should expect volatility to continue till there is clarity.”
Belligerent statements by both sides are balanced by plans for renewed dialogue in Pakistan this week. Mediators and affected Gulf states are also keenly aware that the end of the two-week ceasefire is days away.
Agencies RBI may Help Rupee
“Based on the current news flow, markets on Monday are likely to react primarily to crude prices,” said Shrikant Chouhan, head of equity research, Kotak Securities. “If oil moves back toward $100 per barrel, the market may open near previous closing levels, and then shift focus toward domestic developments.”
When Iran announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would be open as part of peace efforts, Brent crude plunged 9% to $90.38 a barrel, helping Wall Street benchmarks close at record highs later in the day. Before the US-Iran truce, prices were at around $110.
All eyes are on the diplomatic peace talks between the US and Iran, with the ceasefire deadline of April 22 fast approaching, said Siddhartha Khemka, head of research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services. “Now that there has been a sharp rally over the past 10 trading sessions, there should be some consolidation,” he said.
Higher oil prices will push the rupee to open lower on Monday before the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) possibly steps in to prevent a sharp fall, traders said. RBI’s move to take dollar demand by oil companies out of the market by providing them a direct supply of the currency through State Bank of India may also prevent a sharp fall in the rupee.
If the war continues for a longer period and crude again goes back to $100-120 per barrel, it will be negative for the economy, and markets could see a worse reaction, said Mahesh Ojha, vice president, research, Kantilal Chhaganlal Securities. “Fourth quarter results from ICICI are marginally better than expected, while HDFC Bank posted a steady quarter, and this could act as a positive trigger on Monday,” he said. “If conditions turn worse, the banking heavyweights could offer support, while if sentiment improves, they could add further upside.”
Since the ceasefire announcement on April 8, the Sensex and Nifty have gained over 5%, while the Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250 advanced roughly 10%.
The market seems well-positioned to extend its uptrend, rather than remain range-bound, said Dhupesh Dhameja, derivatives analyst at Samco Securities.
Business
WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Has Brock Lesnar Retired?
It seems Brock Lesnar has retired.
Following his loss to Oba Femi during the second night of WrestleMania 42, Lesnar left his gloves and wrestling boots in the ring, a typical sign of retirement that fans last saw when AJ Styles retired in January.
Brock Lesnar Leaves Gloves, Boots in the Ring
Lesnar stayed seated in the ring after the match, soon shocking fans in attendance and watching at home when he began to remove his gloves. Fans soon began to voice their disapproval, continuously chanting “No!” as he went.
A visibly emotional and crying Lesnar then began to remove his boots before leaving them, along with the gloves, at the center of the ring.
Paul Heyman eventually entered the ring, and Lesnar made an “x” sign with his arms before the two shared a hug.
Lesnar waved to the crowd and bowed in gratitude before leaving the ring as chants of “Thank you, Lesnar” echoed throughout the arena.
Is This It for Lesnar?
If his actions in the ring truly meant that his match against Femi is his final match, Lesnar joins the list of recently-retired WWE legends.
It can be recalled that John Cena retired in December after tapping out to Gunther. AJ Styles likewise retired in January after a match with “The Career Killer.”
Fan reaction online has been swift as many grappled with the idea that Lesnar his retired, with many expressing their gratitude to one of the greatest combat athletes WWE has ever seen.
One fan on X expressed shock by saying, “4 minutes 45 seconds for what could be Brock’s last match??”
“Brock hasn’t retired yet,” another fan said. “We will see on Raw when Gunther confronts him.”
One pointed out a sad truth for a generation of WWE fans by saying, “Lesnar, Styles, & Cena all announced their retirement in the span of four months.”
Originally published on sportsworldnews.com
Business
National Australia Bank hikes credit provisions on Iran war; flags $961 mln charge

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Business
CStone presents preclinical data on three ADC candidates at AACR

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Business
Traders ready to put war behind, dial up the risk
In the first half of April, investors bought a net $500 million of bonds in the lowest tier of investment grade, and sold $7.3 billion of the higher tiers, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. That helped BBB bonds perform comparatively better than higher-rated notes, pushing the gap between spreads for BBB and A corporates to the tightest since before the war.
There may be good reason for these slightly riskier bonds to be performing better: BBB rated companies have outperformed analysts’ average forecasts more than A companies have, according to a Bloomberg News analysis.
Buyers are hoping a more lasting peace in West Asia can be forged by negotiators, and that companies in the lower edges of investment grade can keep performing well.
“There is some value in the BBB space and issuers there have been good stewards of the balance sheet and generally improving credit quality,” said Gene Tannuzzo, global head of fixed income at Columbia Threadneedle Investments.
Investors have also been snatching up junk bonds, although with a preference for the higher-rated end of the spectrum, implying that money managers still see risk ahead even as they grow moderately more hopeful. Overall spreads for junk bonds are at their tightest since the war began, averaging 2.72% as of Thursday’s close.
Business
Nifty has a bit of momentum, but faces resistance at 24,300-24,700
ROHAN SHAH
TECHNICAL ANALYST, ASIT C MEHTA INVESTMENT
Where is Nifty headed this week?
Nifty staged a strong comeback this month after a prolonged four-month decline, supported by easing geopolitical tensions and lower crude prices. The index has approached a resistance band of 24,300–24,700, which aligns with multiple technical studies. However, sustained strength above this zone is essential for the continuation of the upward momentum, potentially paving the way toward 25,500. Inability to hold above this zone may trigger profit booking, dragging the index lower towards 23,500–23,200. Trading Strategy: Buy Nifty futures above 24,700 for an upside target of 25,500, maintaining a stop-loss below 24,250.
TOP STOCK BETS
Jubilant FoodWorks
Buy at CMP Rs 459 | Stop-loss Rs 420 | Target Rs 525
The stock shows early reversal signs, backed by one-year high volumes and a high-wave candle near a demand zone, indicating selling exhaustion. The Rs 420–440 zone is key support; RSI shows bullish divergence.
Maruti Suzuki India
Buy at CMP Rs 13,453 | Stop-loss Rs 12,500 | Target Rs 15,500
The stock has witnessed a strong rebound after confirming a bullish ABCD harmonic pattern. The formation of a cup-and-handle pattern alongside improving volumes signals accumulation. RSI holding above its breakout level suggests a positive bias.
AgenciesAJIT MISHRA
SVP – RESEARCH, RELIGARE BROKING
Where is Nifty headed this week?
Nifty is now approaching key moving averages (100 and 200 DEMA) in the 24,600– 24,800 zone. Sustained strength above this band could open room for further upside towards 25,200. In case of profit booking or consolidation, the 23,700–24,000 zone is likely to provide strong support.
Trading Strategies: For the short term, traders may consider a “buy on dip” approach in the 24,150–24,250 range, with a stop-loss at 23,900 and potential targets of 24,800 and 25,200. Among sectoral themes, the Nifty Energy Index has witnessed a fresh breakout after spending more than one-anda-half years in a consolidation phase. Participants can consider playing this theme through an ETF, i.e., Mirae Asset Nifty Energy ETF. It is currently trading at Rs 39.11, and one can accumulate it in the Rs 37–40 zone with a stoploss at Rs 34 for a positional target of Rs 52.
TOP STOCK BETS
Federal Bank Buy. CMP Rs 293 | Stop-loss Rs 278 | Target Rs 325
Federal Bank is in a steady uptrend with higher highs and lows post-base formation. A strong breakout near the 200-DMA signals a sentiment shift; price holds above key averages, with RSI supporting continuation.
JSW Energy
Buy. CMP Rs 538 | Stop-loss Rs 504 | Target Rs 598
JSW Energy is in a stage-2 uptrend, consolidating after a strong rally. The range-bound move near the 200-DMA suggests a healthy pause, with price now attempting an upward breakout supported by improving momentum.
RAJESH PALVIYA
HEAD OF TECHNICAL AND DERIVATIVES, AXIS SECURITIES
Where is Nifty headed this week?
Nifty is fast approaching 24,415—the upper boundary of the bearish gap etched on March 9. A conviction close above 24,500, however, could open the floodgates. The next logical pit stops are 24,762— the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the Feb March decline—and the psychologically significant 25,000 mark. A slip below the 24,000–23,900 support band would be a warning shot, potentially dragging the index back to retest its weekly low of 23,555. Traders on the long side would do well to respect this floor. The overall outlook remains positive, as the weekly RSI continues to stay above its reference line. This indicates that positive momentum is still intact and not yet exhausted.
Trading Strategies: The recommended strategy for Nifty options for the April 28, 2026, expiry is a call spread, ideal for a moderately bullish market outlook. The trader buys one lot of the 24,400-strike Call option at a premium of Rs 260–240 and simultaneously sells one lot of the 24,700-strike Call option at a premium of Rs 130–150. This strategy limits both risk and reward, creating a defined range for outcomes. The break-even point is at 24,530, with a maximum potential loss of Rs 8,450 and a maximum profit of Rs 11,050.
TOP STOCK BETS
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Buy at Rs 2,618, CMP Rs 2,620| Stop-loss Rs 2,550 | Target Rs 2,800-2,850
A breakout above Rs 2,430 signals a shift to a primary uptrend, with RSI strength confirming bullish momentum. Resistance lies at Rs 2,800–2,850; sustained strength could extend gains to Rs 3,000–3,050.
Polycab India
Buy at Rs 8,184, CMP Rs 8,188.50 | Stop-loss Rs 7,900 | Target Rs 8,600-8,900
An uptrend supported by a rising trendline and a doublebottom near Rs 6,650 underpins strength. Resistance at Rs 8,700; a breakout could target Rs 9,000+. Maintain Rs 7,600 as a stop-loss; below this, risks a breakdown.
Business
AMD: $600 Bullseye (NASDAQ:AMD) | Seeking Alpha
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Business
Modular Medical prices $3.4 million stock offering at $4.50/share

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Business
Oil prices jump as Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate
Energy markets have seen wild swings since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.
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