UNA Sports Group
UNA Sports Group is a privately-held New York-based sports investment firm that acquires equity stakes in premier professional sports franchises and provides strategic advisory. Its portfolio includes the New York Summer and Winter teams of the MoonPay X Games League acquired in 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UNA Sports Group does
UNA Sports Group is a privately-held New York-based sports investment firm (UNA Sports Group LLC) that acquires and operates equity stakes in premier professional sports franchises and platforms worldwide. Founded by Managing Partner & CEO Del A. Wright, President & COO David Rader, and Co-Founder & Partner Andrew Thau — supported by Vice Presidents Ted Andrews and Ben Clark — the firm combines institutional investment discipline with deep operational experience across teams, leagues, venues, and media. Its leadership team has collectively advised on more than 40 transactions spanning the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, TGL, and Formula 1, including team and league acquisitions, stadium financings, franchise expansions, and media-rights negotiations.
UNA's core offering is franchise equity investment, complemented by operational partnership services and strategic relationship facilitation. In May 2026, the firm acquired both the New York Summer and New York Winter teams of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) in an eight-figure transaction each, becoming the first team owner in the new action sports league and the first single ownership group to hold two XGL teams in one market. The resulting franchise, branded XC New York, competes in skateboarding, BMX, skiing, and snowboarding under a 3-stop season format distributed via ESPN and ABC. Additional pillars include sponsorship optimization, venue monetization, media-rights advisory, and athlete representation support delivered through a curated network of global brand, licensing, and technology partners.
UNA operates as a B2B investment and advisory platform with no proprietary technology, no consumer-facing product, and no app. Revenue mechanics center on (a) equity appreciation from franchise holdings, (b) advisory and operational-partnership fees, and (c) strategic-relationship introductions — none publicly priced because all transactions are bespoke. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, targeting ownership groups of premier professional sports franchises and league operators. Geographic scope is presently anchored in the United States (New York), though portfolio exposure extends to USA, Brazil, and Japan via the XGL league footprint.
UNA Sports Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNA Sports Group
- Legal name
- UNA Sports Group LLC
- Website
- https://unasportsgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- UNA Sports Group is a privately-held New York-based sports investment firm that acquires equity stakes in premier professional sports franchises and provides strategic advisory. Its portfolio includes the New York Summer and Winter teams of the MoonPay X Games League acquired in 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNA Sports Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Franchise Investment & Advisory
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Business Consulting & Advisory (Strategy, Valuation, Due Diligence) (MPAKAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sponsorship Sales, Valuation & Analytics Services (Rights Sales, Measurement, Consulting) (MPAKALAK)
Keywords
Where UNA Sports Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
UNA Sports Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Franchise Equity: Direct and co-investment positions in premier professional sports franchises, generating returns through equity appreciation, franchise value growth, and potential exit events. The firm acquired New York Summer and Winter teams of the X Games League (XGL) in an eight-figure transaction.
- Operational Partnership Fees: Advisory and operational insight services across sponsorship, venue monetization, media rights, and athlete representation. The firm provides strategic advisory services to sports properties, generating fees for consulting and operational support.
- Strategic Relationships: Revenue generated through introductions and collaborations with global partners including brands, licensing entities, and technology companies that drive incremental revenue for franchise investments.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
UNA Sports Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNA Sports Group is a sports investment firm that acquires direct and co-investment equity positions in premier professional sports franchises across North American and international leagues. The firm also provides operational partnership and advisory services across sponsorship, venue monetization, media rights, and athlete representation, while facilitating strategic relationships with global brand, licensing, and technology partners.
Product overview
UNA Sports Group is a sports investment firm that acquires and operates franchise stakes in professional sports properties. Its primary offerings include franchise equity investments in premier professional sports franchises (X Games Club New York, encompassing both Summer and Winter XGL teams), operational partnership services, and strategic relationship facilitation. The firm operates XC New York as its flagship team franchise competing in skateboarding and BMX disciplines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- X Games Club New York Ownership of both the New York Summer and New York Winter teams of the MoonPay X Games League, acquired in an eight-figure transaction. The franchise establishes a permanent X Games presence in New York, with XC New York competing in skateboarding, BMX, skiing, and snowboarding disciplines.
- XC New York (Summer Season Franchise) The New York franchise competing in the XGL Summer Season across skateboarding and BMX disciplines. The 2026 Summer Season runs from June 26 in Sacramento through the Championship July 24–26 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
- Operational Partnership & Advisory Services World-class advisory and operational insight services for sports franchise owners and league operators, spanning sponsorship, venue monetization, media rights, and athlete representation. Provided to ownership groups as part of UNA's investment partnership model.
- Strategic Relationship Facilitation Curated introductions and collaborations with global partners across brand, licensing, and technology companies to drive incremental revenue for franchise investments.
Quantifiable outcome
- 73% of respondents expressed interest in new team-based action sports league concept; 84% among adults 18-24 and 83% among teens 13-17
Companies that use UNA Sports Group
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
UNA Sports Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
UNA Sports Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- X Games League (XGL)coreUNA Sports Group acquired both the New York Summer and Winter teams of the MoonPay X Games League in an eight-figure transaction, becoming the first team owner in the new action sports league. The partnership involves building a permanent X Games presence in New York across both seasons, with XC New York competing in skateboarding, BMX, skiing, and snowboarding disciplines.
- XC New YorkcoreXC New York is the franchise brand for UNA Sports Group's XGL teams, competing in both Summer (skateboarding & BMX) and Winter (skiing & snowboarding) seasons. The franchise is led by Andrew Thau as Governor, David Rader as President, and Del Wright as CEO & Managing Partner.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
UNA Sports Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Carlyle Group: Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with sports investments across leagues, teams, and venues. It is a broad incumbent comparable to UNA's stated advisory work across NFL, MLB, NBA, and F1 transactions.
- RedBird Capital Partners: RedBird Capital is a private investment firm with deep sports franchise and sports media investments (e.g., AC Milan, Fenway Sports Group, Skydance Sports). It is a broader incumbent operating across sports equity, media, and operations comparable to UNA's franchise-plus-advisory model.
- CVC Capital Partners: CVC Capital Partners is a global private equity firm with a long track record in sports investments, including prior ownership of Formula 1. It is comparable to UNA as a broad incumbent allocator into premier sports platforms and leagues.
- Eldridge Industries: Eldridge Industries is a private investment firm holding sports-related assets including ownership in the LA Dodgers and other sports entities. It is comparable to UNA as a multi-strategy platform that allocates capital into premier sports franchises alongside other holdings.
- Dyal Capital Partners (Blue Owl): Dyal Capital Partners, part of Blue Owl Capital, acquires minority equity in private investment firms and has significant sports exposure. It is comparable to UNA at a broader scale as an allocator building exposure to sports and alternative asset businesses.
Direct peers
- Avenue Sports Fund: Avenue Sports Fund is a sports-focused investment fund affiliated with Avenue Capital Group that takes equity stakes in professional sports teams. It is comparable to UNA in targeting minority and majority positions in premier franchises.
- MSP Sports Capital: MSP Sports Capital is a sports-focused private investment firm that owns the X Games League and sold the New York franchises to UNA. It is the closest functional peer to UNA, operating in the same niche of acquiring and building sports platforms and franchises.
- Arctos Sports Partners: Arctos Sports Partners is a dedicated sports-focused private equity firm that acquires minority equity in professional sports franchises and leagues. It is directly comparable to UNA Sports Group in mandate, target asset class, and limited-partner base seeking sports exposure.
Emerging players
- 26North Capital Partners: 26North Capital Partners is a private investment firm with significant sports franchise exposure (e.g., Washington Commanders). It is comparable to UNA as a newer, sports-focused investment platform pursuing franchise equity across major leagues.
- Bruin Capital Partners: Bruin Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on sports, media, and consumer sectors, often taking equity in sports properties and content businesses. It is comparable to UNA in combining operational advisory with sports equity investments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UNA Sports Group social profiles
Digital presenceUNA Sports Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNA Sports Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
UNA Sports Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNA Sports Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNA Sports Group
What does UNA Sports Group do?
UNA Sports Group is a sports investment firm that acquires direct and co-investment equity positions in premier professional sports franchises across North American and international leagues. The firm also provides operational partnership and advisory services across sponsorship, venue monetization, media rights, and athlete representation, while facilitating strategic relationships with global brand, licensing, and technology partners.
Is UNA Sports Group a public or private company?
UNA Sports Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was UNA Sports Group founded?
UNA Sports Group was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is UNA Sports Group based?
UNA Sports Group is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does UNA Sports Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Franchise Equity is the primary driver. The others are operational Partnership Fees and strategic Relationships.
Who are UNA Sports Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Carlyle Group, RedBird Capital Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Eldridge Industries and Dyal Capital Partners (Blue Owl). Direct peers are Avenue Sports Fund, MSP Sports Capital and Arctos Sports Partners. Emerging players are 26North Capital Partners and Bruin Capital Partners.
Does UNA Sports Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNA Sports Group.
What industry is UNA Sports Group in?
UNA Sports Group's product category is Sports Franchise Investment & Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAKAL, Sports Business Consulting & Advisory (Strategy, Valuation, Due Diligence), with a secondary code of MPAKALAK, Sponsorship Sales, Valuation & Analytics Services (Rights Sales, Measurement, Consulting). Its NAICS code is 711211 and its SIC code is 7997.