Checketts, Eccles Launch $1.2B Sports Equity Firm

Veteran sports executive Dave Checketts and Utah's Eccles family, via The Cynosure Group, have launched Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital, a private equity firm aiming to raise at least $1.2 billion for investments in the sports industry. The 50-50 joint venture will target minority stakes in established North American teams, as well as opportunities in European soccer, MLB expansion, and women’s leagues. The Eccles family, while new to for-profit sports ownership, has a longstanding legacy in Utah’s sports development, including support for the 2002 and forthcoming 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. The firm will invest in teams, leagues, facilities, media, and technology, leveraging Checketts’ global sports experience. This move aligns with broader trends of U.S. pro leagues permitting private equity investment. Dave Checketts is also set to be honored as a 2025 Sports Business Journal Champion: Pioneer & Innovator.