SportBusiness Group

Background and Ownership

SportBusiness Group was established in 1996, initially as a specialist publisher of sports business intelligence. Over nearly three decades, it has evolved into a multi-product information services company. In August 2017, Silva International Investments, owned by Italian-American sports and media entrepreneur Riccardo Silva, completed the acquisition of SportBusiness Group. Silva, who also owns the Miami FC football club and has stakes in various sports media ventures, has backed the company’s expansion, including the opening of a U.S. office in Miami in 2025 to serve North American clients.

Products and Platforms

- SportBusiness Media: The flagship product, widely recognised as the most authoritative independent source of media rights values, contract terms, and deal comparisons across global sports. It provides detailed databases of broadcast agreements for leagues, federations, and tournaments. - SportBusiness Sponsorship: A comprehensive data service tracking sponsorship deals, activation campaigns, and market trends. It offers granular deal-level data and analytical reports used by rights holders and agencies to benchmark performance. - SportBusiness (Daily News): A subscription-based editorial service delivering breaking news, opinion, and analysis on sports finance, governance, technology, marketing, and investment. It is aimed at executives who need actionable intelligence to stay competitive. - Business Intelligence & Advisory: Custom research, market assessments, and strategic consulting projects commissioned by clients such as federations, leagues, and private equity firms.

Operations and Reach

The company’s client list includes major sports organisations, broadcasters, and financial institutions. Its editorial team produces daily content, while the data teams maintain and update proprietary databases of media rights and sponsorship contracts. The company also organises select industry events and webinars, though event management is not its primary focus. With a staff of approximately 11–50, the group relies on a remote and office-based workforce split between London and Miami. The London office serves as the global headquarters, and the Miami outpost, announced in September 2025, is designed to strengthen relationships with North American rights holders and leagues.

Market Position and Reputation

SportBusiness Group is considered a trusted, niche provider in the sports business information space. Its media rights data is frequently cited in industry reports and by financial analysts. The company competes with larger entities such as Sports Business Journal (US-focused) and Sportcal, but differentiates itself through deep specialisation in media rights valuation and independent editorial standards. The acquisition by Silva International Investments has provided financial stability and a strategic growth route, particularly into the Americas. However, the company remains relatively small and privately held, with no public disclosure of financial performance or detailed organisational structure.