Billionaire Mike Repole Commits Investment in UFL, Aims to Launch New Team in Columbus
The United Football League (UFL) has undergone a significant change, with a new ownership group taking charge. This diverse group includes Mike Repole, a renowned beverage industry entrepreneur, alongside RedBird Capital Partners, Fox, ESPN, Dwayne Johnson, and Dany Garcia.
Mike Repole, co-founder of Vitaminwater, Smartwater, and BodyArmor (sold to Coca-Cola), brings his extensive business and sports investment experience to the UFL. He is driving the league's market strategy overhaul, focusing on relocating franchises to smaller-capacity stadiums for improved attendance and fan engagement, starting with Columbus, Ohio and Historic Crew Stadium (21,000 seats).
RedBird Capital Partners, a private investment firm with prior sports investments, brings financial backing and strategic insight to the UFL. Fox and ESPN, media giants in their respective fields, provide broadcasting and media expertise, enhancing the league’s exposure and growth. Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, known for their entertainment and entrepreneurship, bring celebrity influence and business acumen to the group.
Here's a breakdown of the key players and their roles:
| Owner/Investor | Expertise/Role | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Mike Repole | Beverage industry titan, serial entrepreneur, sports investor; driving stadium and market strategy overhaul for UFL[1] | | RedBird Capital Partners| Private investment firm with sports investment experience | | Fox | Media/broadcasting giant, likely providing league exposure | | ESPN | Sports broadcaster/streaming partner supporting league media rights | | Dwayne Johnson | Celebrity entrepreneur with sports ownership experience | | Dany Garcia | Business partner of Johnson, entrepreneur with sports interest |
This diversified ownership group combines strong financial backing, sports marketing expertise, media resources, and celebrity influence aimed at expanding and stabilizing the UFL’s footprint and fan engagement in the coming seasons.
Mike Repole's investment in the UFL is through his private equity firm Impact Capital. His latest venture, Nobull, an athletic footwear and apparel brand, has merged with Tom Brady's wellness brand TB12 and apparel venture Brady Brand. Repole expects the United Football League to expand to 16 teams by 2032, with between two and four teams relocating for the 2026 season.
Coca-Cola bought BodyArmor, a sports drink founded by Mike Repole, for $8 billion in 2021. The UFL's ownership group offers a unique blend of expertise, such as operating franchises (RedBird), broadcast might (ESPN, Fox), and global star power (Johnson, better known as "The Rock"). This combined force is set to make spring football work, as Repole has built other brands with less powerhouse teams.
[1] Source: The Athletic [2] Source: SportsPro
- The new ownership group of the United Football League (UFL) consists of individuals with diverse expertise, such as Mike Repole, known for his sports investment experience in the beverage industry and driving the league's market strategy.
- RedBird Capital Partners, a private investment firm with previous sports investments, brings financial backing and strategic insight to the UFL, aiming to expand and stabilize its footprint.
- Fox and ESPN, media giants, provide broadcasting and media expertise, enhancing the league’s exposure and growth, a crucial factor in attracting more people.
- Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, renowned for their entertainment and entrepreneurship, bring celebrity influence and business acumen to the group, hoping to capitalize on Johnson's popularity, better known as "The Rock," to boost the UFL's popularity in sports.
