Arctos Buys Stake in NBA’s Jazz, Priming Utah for More Sports

Private equity fund Arctos Sports Partners is purchasing a minority stake in the Utah Jazz.

Believed to be the largest sports-focused private equity fund in the world, Arctos has more than $5 billion in client money distributed across multiple funds. Once the NBA approves the transaction, the Jazz will become the fourth NBA franchise in which Arctos is known to be an investor. The fund controls a 13% stake in the Golden State Warriors and a 17% interest in the Sacramento Kings, as well as a stake in HBSE, the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers. The size of Arctos’ ownership of the Jazz hasn’t been disclosed. The NBA’s bylaw require ownership stakes be at least 1% of a team.

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The majority owner of the Jazz is Ryan Smith, a tech billionaire who bought the club with his wife Ashley two years ago for $1.66 billion, although the team is now worth $1.78 billion, good for 22^nd among NBA teams, according to the annual Sportico valuations.

Bringing Arctos into the fold should help Smith fulfill a long-term goal of making Salt Lake City a hub for entertainment and sports, including the addition of a third major professional sports franchise. Arctos already owns a part of MLS’ Real Salt Lake, which the Jazz owner’s Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) bought a piece of in January. The new deal between Arctos and SEG includes Vivint Arena, where the Jazz play.

“As SEG continues to build out the professional sports landscape in the state, the Arctos partnership brings strong commitment to Utah sports and a deep connection across all major sports leagues,” said Smith. “My wife Ashley and I are passionate about the state of Utah and are committed to building organizations that can be a unifying force in our community. Few things do that as powerfully as sports.”

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Other members of the Jazz ownership group include Ryan Sweeney, a partner at venture capital firm Accel; Mike Cannon-Brookes, cofounder of enterprise software firm…