United States SailGP Team

What United States SailGP Team does

The United States SailGP Team, operated through the Delaware LLC SGP USA LLC and headquartered at 6 St. John's Lane, Suite 708 in New York City, is one of approximately 13 national franchises competing in the SailGP global sailing championship. The team races F50 hydrofoiling catamarans capable of exceeding 100 kph, and in 2026 it has recorded a registered top speed of 101.41 kph and the fleet's lowest foiling takeoff threshold of 22.7 mph. Its roster of 10 elite athletes includes Olympic bronze medalist Hans Henken, 9-time World Champion Taylor Canfield, and World Champions Harry Melges IV, Mac Agnese, and Michael Menninger. Mike Buckley serves as Team Principal, CEO, and Co-Owner; Pete Gunovsky was appointed Commercial Director in July 2026 after leading commercial at Oracle Red Bull Racing.

The team's commercial operations center on sponsorship, merchandise, and fan engagement. Revenue streams include global brand partnerships (flagship apparel with Tommy Hilfiger, plus Crypto.com, Marriott Luxury Group, AG1, CÎROC, Amazon, and others), co-branded capsule collections sold through Tommy Hilfiger retail, tommy.com and Amazon, prize money from the $12.8M 2026 SailGP season purse, and media value from CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network coverage. Fan engagement is delivered through the FanCapital-powered website and mobile app, the free Race Vision fantasy prediction game, the Crew Card digital collectibles loyalty program, and physical Fan Zone activations at each of the 13 international venues on the Season 6 calendar. The team also runs an ocean-conservation program with Ocean Conservancy under the 'Protect Where We Play' initiative.

Go-to-market combines event-driven in-person activation at global venues with direct-to-consumer digital engagement and community-led programming (the 'On the Chase' podcast, educational content, sustainability storytelling). Pricing to fans is freemium — app, streaming, and fantasy participation are free, while premium branded merchandise and VIP experiences are paid. The team recently won the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix in early 2026, its first event victory under current ownership.

Name

United States SailGP Team

Legal name

SGP USA LLC

Website

https://ussailgpteam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The U.S. SailGP Team operates one of roughly 13 national franchises in the SailGP global sailing championship, racing F50 hydrofoiling catamarans. The New York-based organization serves fans, brand sponsors, and broadcast partners through on-water competition, co-branded merchandise, and a digital fan-engagement platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sailing Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Professional sailing team
• Sports entertainment
• Hydrofoiling catamaran racing
• Fan engagement platform
• Sports sponsorship marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Commercial Partnerships: Revenue generated from global commercial partnerships with brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Crypto.com, AG1, CÎROC, Marriott Luxury Group, Amazon, Beatbot, and others. Partnerships include co-branded merchandise, activations at events, and promotional content.
2. Merchandise and Product Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including Tommy Hilfiger x U.S. SailGP Team capsule collections, collectibles, Fanwear, and team gear sold through partnerships and direct channels.
3. Event Revenue and Prize Money: Prize money from SailGP event wins. The 2026 SailGP Season has $12.8 million up for grabs. Team won the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix in 2026.
4. Fan Engagement Programs: Revenue from fan engagement including Race Vision fantasy game participation, Crew Card collectibles, and promotional giveaways that drive merchandise and partnership value.
5. Media Rights and Broadcasting: Television and streaming coverage through CBS Sports Network and CBS Television Network in the United States, plus the SailGP App and YouTube channel for global reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The U.S. SailGP Team operates as a professional sailing team competing in the international SailGP championship using F50 hydrofoiling catamarans across 13 global venues per season. The team sells premium co-branded merchandise (including Tommy Hilfiger capsule collections), operates the Race Vision fantasy prediction game and Crew Card digital collectibles loyalty program, and runs in-person Fan Zone activations at race venues. Revenue is generated through global commercial sponsorships, merchandise sales, prize money, and digital fan engagement programs.

Product overview

The U.S. SailGP Team operates as a professional sailing team competing in the SailGP international championship with F50 hydrofoiling catamarans capable of exceeding 60 mph. The team's digital product portfolio consists of a primary website (ussailgpteam.com) that serves as the central hub for team information, news, videos, and race content. Supporting digital products include Race Vision, a free-to-play fantasy prediction game where fans compete across the 13-event global season; the Crew Card loyalty program for collecting digital memorabilia and race posters; and in-person Fan Zone activations at race venues featuring interactive experiences and merchandise. The offering functions as a unified fan engagement platform rather than a modular software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Race Vision Fantasy Game A free fantasy prediction game operated by the U.S. SailGP Team where fans predict race outcomes across the 13-event SailGP season, wager points in double-point rounds, and compete for prizes on a leaderboard with 250+ inaugural-season participants.
• Crew Card Loyalty Program A fan loyalty program that rewards supporters with digital collectibles, race posters, and exclusive fan experiences in exchange for ongoing engagement with the U.S. SailGP Team.
• U.S. SailGP Team Collectibles Digital collectibles including race posters and fan memorabilia that can be claimed and collected through the Crew Card program.
• Tommy Hilfiger x U.S. SailGP Team Capsule Collection Premium co-branded apparel and merchandise capsule collections from the flagship Tommy Hilfiger partnership, sold through Tommy Hilfiger stores, tommy.com, and Amazon, designed for consumers seeking American national team branded luxury sailing apparel.
• Fan Zone Race Venue Activations Physical in-person fan engagement activations at race venues including athlete meet-and-greets, interactive experiences such as Batak, Reaction Ring, and Grinder Challenge, partner brand activations, F50 scale model displays, and merchandise sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• First event win of 2026 season at KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Tommy HilfigerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Flagship partnership featuring co-branded capsule collections. The 2026 Capsule Collection launched ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, merging nautical heritage with performance innovation. Collection available through Tommy Hilfiger stores and tommy.com. Second capsule collection launched May 28, 2026.
• Crypto.com | OGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial cryptocurrency and prediction markets partner. Multi-year partnership announced May 29, 2026 ahead of New York Sail Grand Prix.
• Luxury Group Marriott InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury hospitality partner associated with the premium sailing experience and VIP hospitality at events.
• AG1coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial athletic nutrition supplement partner. Fans receive 30-day AG1 supply as part of student bundle giveaways.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon storefront partner with dedicated branded store page. Merchandise available through Amazon channels.
• CîROCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial vodka partner as part of CÎROC Athletic Club initiative. Premium vodka brand partnership announced May 26, 2026 ahead of New York City race.
• BeatbotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRobotic pool cleaning partner. Mike Buckley unboxed Beatbot AquaSense X with fans receiving 5% discount code (SAILGPBB) on purchases.
• Barton & GrayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine lifestyle partner providing nautical equipment and supplies for team operations.
• ZhikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical sailing apparel partner providing performance gear for the sailing team.
• NomadixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable towels and ponchos partner. Custom-designed collection blends performance, lifestyle, and sustainability for 2026 season announced May 21, 2026.
• Hudson River Community SailingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sailing organization in New York supporting sailing education and access to the sport.
• Protect Where We Play (Ocean Conservancy)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship environmental partnership focused on ghost gear awareness and ocean conservation. The team partners with Ocean Conservancy's Global Ghost Gear Initiative to tackle abandoned fishing equipment. Includes pledge campaigns, donation drives, and educational content about ghost gear impact on marine life.
• BureominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishnet recycling partner. Hans Henken visited Bureo facility to learn about recycling old fishing gear into sustainable products.
• BlacklaneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial chauffeur supplier for New York Race Week 2026. Provides VIP transportation experiences for team and guests during event.
• ArcminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectric vessel supplier for New York Sail Grand Prix 2026. Powers athlete and VIP transfers across New York Harbor. Promotional partnership including VIP ticket giveaways.
• Spectrum SailingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSailing equipment and support partner included in the partner ecosystem.
• FanCapital LLCflagshipOthersParent company and technology platform provider. Powers the U.S. SailGP Team website, app, Crew Card loyalty program, and Race Vision fantasy game. © FanCapital LLC is listed as the operating entity for the digital platforms.
• Oracle Red Bull RacingminorOthersSource of new Commercial Director Pete Gunovsky, who served as Head of Commercial for three years before joining U.S. SailGP Team. Premier property in global sports ecosystem.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Australia SailGP Team: Direct SailGP competitor that has historically been among the league's top performers. Same boat class, identical event calendar, and competing for the same sponsorship and broadcast visibility as the U.S. team in a global premium sailing context.
• NYYC American Magic: U.S. America's Cup sailing team with the same national-representation mandate as the U.S. SailGP Team. Comparable in operating model (New York yacht-club roots, elite athlete roster, partnership-driven revenue, U.S. market focus) and is the most direct U.S. sailing-sport peer for fan and sponsor overlap.
• Emirates Team New Zealand: America's Cup sailing team and defending champion with a national-representation model and a major title sponsor (Emirates) that parallels the U.S. team's flagship-sponsor structure. Most comparable peer for assessing elite sailing team operations, talent model, and commercial scale outside SailGP.
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team: Italian America's Cup sailing team whose co-title sponsors (Prada, Pirelli) mirror the U.S. team's flagship-partnership strategy (Tommy Hilfiger) of pairing a luxury/premium brand with elite sailing. Comparable on commercial narrative, athlete-driven content engine, and global event footprint.
• ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team: Direct SailGP rival with a corporate title-name sponsor model (ROCKWOOL) that mirrors how the U.S. team is built around a flagship commercial anchor. Competes in the same F50 races with comparable talent depth, making it a strong peer on commercial structure.
• INEOS Britannia: British America's Cup sailing team backed by INEOS as title sponsor. Comparable operating structure (national representation, corporate-title sponsorship, elite athlete roster) and competes in the same broader professional sailing ecosystem where commercial value is driven by global events and premium brand alignment.
• Spain SailGP Team: Direct SailGP national-team competitor on the same F50 circuit. Competes for the same broadcast airtime, prize money, and corporate sponsorship dollars, making it a primary benchmark for race results and commercial performance within the league.
• Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team: Direct SailGP national-team rival running the same F50 hydrofoil program, with a comparable title-tier Emirates sponsorship and global race schedule. Operates under the same league rules and revenue model, making it the closest one-to-one peer for on-water performance and commercial benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• Red Bull Racing (Oracle Red Bull Racing): Premier F1 team that combines high-tech performance engineering with a premium lifestyle brand and global commercial ecosystem. Comparable to the U.S. SailGP Team in marrying elite athletic execution, premium sponsor alignment, and a multi-channel fan engagement model — and is the direct prior employer of the team's Commercial Director Pete Gunovsky.
• McLaren Racing: Premium motorsport team (F1, IndyCar, Formula E) operating with a comparable commercial architecture: elite athlete roster, title-tier partnerships with luxury and tech brands, broad multi-channel fan engagement, and global broadcast presence. Useful peer for benchmarking how a premium racing-property scales sponsorship and digital monetization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sailgpusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/sailgp
• Xx.com/SailGPUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SailGPUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/us-sailgp-team

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United States SailGP Team