LaPorta Advised Investors to Target Existing Sports Teams

Former MLB player Matt LaPorta recommends buying established franchises over high-cost expansion ventures.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Investing

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a balance scale weighing a stadium model against a wireframe, symbolizing sports investment strategy. — Former MLB player Matt LaPorta has advised institutional investors to prioritize purchasing existing sports franchises over higher-risk, capital-intensive expansion ventures. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Matt LaPorta, a former professional baseball player turned advisor, has suggested that investors prioritize purchasing existing sports franchises rather than launching new ones. He argues that expansion teams carry heavy upfront costs in fees and infrastructure that existing assets do not.

Why it matters

New expansion teams require massive capital for entry fees and stadium construction, which can delay profitability. Existing teams offer established revenue streams and growth potential that may provide a more stable return for private equity and institutional investors.

NBA Las Vegas expansion costs are projected at $12 billion to $13 billion, while MLB expansion fees and stadium costs are estimated at $2 billion each. Dynasty Financial Partners manages $125 billion in assets across its network of over 725 advisors.

The players

Matt LaPorta

He is a former professional baseball player for Cleveland who transitioned into the financial advisory sector.

Dynasty Financial Partners

This St. Petersburg-based firm operates an extensive network of advisors managing over $125 billion in assets.

The details

LaPorta notes that while private equity firms are increasingly interested in sports, they face ownership limitations due to league-wide protections. By avoiding the extreme costs of expansion, investors can secure established assets already producing market returns.

Matt LaPorta played four MLB seasons for Cleveland from 2009 to 2012.
Matt LaPorta joined the Dynasty Financial Partners network in June 2026.
The analysis regarding sports team investment was published in October 2026.

Market Dynamics

This strategy follows the historical trend of league-mandated ownership restrictions in major professional sports that complicate outside investment. It highlights the growing competition for limited professional team assets among increasingly deep-pocketed private equity firms.

Individual investors should recognize that sports ownership remains largely accessible only to high-net-worth groups or institutions. Diversifying into sectors that benefit from sports growth, rather than direct team ownership, may be a more pragmatic financial path for retail investors.

The takeaway

Direct sports ownership is a high-barrier investment often limited by league rules and astronomical capital requirements. Investors seeking exposure to the industry may find more liquidity and lower entry risks through established teams or associated sports business ventures.