Published by Citywealth, 10 June 2026
Private capital is increasingly reshaping the global sports industry. From LIV Golf to football, cricket, motorsport and women’s sport, institutional investors, family offices and sovereign wealth funds are looking at sport as an attractive asset class that combines commercial opportunity with strong emotional engagement.
However, as the Citywealth article “When Things Go Wrong in Sport: Big Money, LIV Golf and the Risks of Private Capital” explains, new capital can also create disruption, governance tensions, valuation pressures, and complex legal risks when investor expectations are misaligned with sporting realities.
Dr Ariel Sergio Davidoff, Founding Partner at Davidoff Law in Switzerland, offers his perspective on the particular risks in women’s sport. He highlights that in many cases, commercial value is closely tied to individual athletes rather than to long-established club brands. A departure, injury or public controversy involving a high-profile athlete can therefore have a disproportionate impact on fan engagement, sponsorship value and wider reputation.
For investors, clubs, athletes and advisers, the key message is clear: successful investment in sport requires more than capital alone. Robust governance, careful due diligence, realistic time horizons and a proper understanding of athlete-related risks are essential to protect value and support sustainable growth.
Davidoff Law also advises on the legal and commercial dimensions of equestrian and horse-related investments. Further insights are available here: Horse Racing & Davidoff Law and The Business of Horses: Wealth, Risk and Prestige.
Read the full Citywealth article here:
When Things Go Wrong in Sport: Big Money, LIV Golf and the Risks of Private Capital
