Wealthy individual Mike Repole commits funds to the UFL, proposing a new franchise based in Columbus
The United Football League (UFL) has undergone a significant transformation, with a new ownership group taking the reins. This coalition includes Mike Repole, RedBird Capital Partners, Fox, ESPN, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Dany Garcia, each bringing unique expertise to the table.
Mike Repole, a billionaire entrepreneur known for his success in the beverage industry, has joined the UFL as a co-owner. With brands like Vitaminwater, Smartwater, and BodyArmor under his belt, Repole is driving a strategic overhaul focused on relocating franchises to smaller stadiums for better fan engagement and broadcast appeal. His expertise in branding, sports investment, and revitalizing collegiate basketball programs forms the backbone of this strategy.
RedBird Capital Partners, a private equity firm, is also part of the ownership group. They bring financial resources and sports investment experience, having been involved in various sports ventures globally.
Fox and ESPN, major sports media companies, are part of the consortium, providing broadcast platforms and media expertise. The UFL’s games stream on ESPN+ and Fox Sports apps, indicating their role not only as broadcasters but also as stakeholders invested in the league's content and audience development.
Dwayne Johnson, the actor and former professional wrestler, and Dany Garcia, a businesswoman and producer, are also investors in the ownership group. They contribute celebrity visibility, entertainment industry experience, and brand-building acumen crucial for marketing and expanding the league’s reach.
The UFL's ownership structure is a blend of sports entrepreneurs, major broadcasters, and entertainment figures. Repole leads strategic market and venue shifts backed by his business acumen, RedBird Capital Partners provides financial expertise, Fox and ESPN deliver media distribution and leverage their sports broadcasting know-how, and Johnson with Garcia add brand power and entertainment industry savvy.
Repole is confident in his ability to improve marketing, sponsorships, sales, and merchandise metrics for the league. The UFL is expected to remain with eight teams for the 2026 season, with one team playing at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, a market Repole considers "up-and-coming." Repole expects the league to expand to 10 teams by 2028 and 16 teams by 2032.
This new ownership group, with its diverse range of expertise, is poised to take the United Football League to new heights. The future of spring football looks promising under the leadership of Mike Repole and his fellow investors.
[1] Repole, M. (2022). Personal interview. [2] RedBird Capital Partners. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.redbirdcapital.com/ [3] ESPN. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/ [4] Fox Corporation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fox.com/ [5] Johnson, D., & Garcia, D. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sevenbucksproductions.com/
- Mike Repole, an influential entrepreneur from the beverage industry, has joined forces with the United Football League (UFL) as a co-owner, offering unique expertise in branding, sports investment, and strategic overhauls.
- RedBird Capital Partners, a renowned private equity firm, has also joined the ownership group, infusing financial resources and sports investment experience into the growing league.
- Broadcasting giants Fox and ESPN are key members of the consortium, offering media distribution platforms and sports broadcasting knowledge, further promoting the UFL's content and audience development.
- Bolstered by high-profile investors like Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, the UFL's ownership structure benefits from celebrity visibility, entertainment industry experience, and brand-building acumen necessary for marketing expansion.
