SailGP Achieves Total Private Independent Ownership Franchise Model via MSP Sports Capital Acquisition

The Rolex SailGP Championship has confirmed that all 13 national competing teams are now fully transitioned into private, independent ownership following the acquisition of the New Zealand Black Foils SailGP Team by MSP Sports Capital.

The transaction marks the complete realisation of the league’s foundational business model, successfully moving away from a centrally financed structure to an entirely privately operated franchise ecosystem.

Commenting on the confirmation, SailGP co-founder and CEO, Sir Russell Coutts, said: “This is a very significant milestone for SailGP – and one we set out to reach from the very beginning.”

“The goal of SailGP has always been to build something that world-class investors and sports operators would want to own – to have MSP Sports Capital, led by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, join our ownership group is further validation of that vision,” Coutts said.

Expressing his enthusiasm about their acquisition, MSP Sports Capital Founder, Jahm Najafi, shared: “SailGP is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world, and we are thrilled to partner with Russell Coutts and the SailGP organisation.”

“We believe the New Zealand team is one of its flagship franchises,” he said.

Black Foils Co-CEO and Olympic Champion, Peter Burling, added: “Today’s an incredibly important milestone for the Black Foils – and the start of an exciting new chapter for us in SailGP as we represent New Zealand on the world stage.”

“MSP are world-class partners, with an understanding of elite sport and what it takes to build something that lasts,” he noted.

Venture Capital Infusion and Portfolio Alignment

The acquisition by MSP Sports Capital inserts a high-profile global sports investment firm into the SailGP ownership matrix. Founded by veteran investor-operators Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, the firm adds the New Zealand franchise to an elite sports business portfolio that has featured structural stakes in McLaren Racing, Everton FC, and the X Games League.

The acquisition arrives at an important operational juncture for the Black Foils, who return to the water this weekend at the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax after a multi-month competitive hiatus caused by a major mid-race collision with France in February.

This trend is underscored by recent high-profile league buyouts, including Quantum Pacific’s purchase of the Spain SailGP Team, Doug DeVos’ acquisition of ROCKWOOL Racing, and the Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds-backed ownership group behind the BONDS Flying Roos.

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