Former NFL star Marquez Colston is teaming up with mixed martial artist Nick Edwards to make sports investing more accessible than ever! Through their firm, Champion Venture Partners, they’ve launched the Champion Fund, an evergreen sports asset fund designed to lower the barrier to entry for everyday investors.
Making Sports Ownership Accessible
Forget the high minimums typically associated with private equity. The Champion Fund allows investments as low as $500, making it significantly more affordable than traditional options. Colston emphasized that accessibility has been a core part of their vision since starting Champion Venture Partners about two years ago.
“The vision was always to have at least one arm of our firm that was accessible to every investor. The Champion Fund allows us to do that,” Colston explained. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for fans to own a piece of the sports they love, moving beyond just betting on games.
Investing in What You Love
Edwards highlighted the fund’s appeal compared to the risks of sports betting apps. “Instead of sitting there swiping on DraftKings… you can have some meaningful ownership,” he stated. The fund functions much like a mutual fund, allowing investors to see the logos of teams and stadiums they now have a stake in.
Crucially, Champion Fund focuses on established names and brands in the private market, avoiding high-risk venture capital. “All of these are known names and brands, they just happen to be private, off-market deals that we get through our deal flow, and pass along to investors,” Edwards added.
Empowering Athletes and Fans
Colston, who retired from the NFL in 2015, understands the financial challenges athletes face after their playing careers. He noted that many athletes struggle to maintain their earning potential and can even fall from accredited investor status over time. The Champion Fund aims to solve this by creating a vehicle that supports players transitioning out of their athletic careers.
The firm has already built approximately $100 million in portfolio value through various deals, including European football and ticketing ventures. Colston’s passion lies in bridging the education gap for athletes regarding venture capital and creating collective opportunities for them to participate in the economy they’ve helped build.
A Collective Opportunity
Colston believes there’s been a historical lack of access and education for athletes in the venture capital space, often leading to limited opportunities like mascot roles. He envisions a future where athletes can collectively educate each other and share deals, fostering greater wealth-building within the sports community. The Champion Fund is a significant step towards realizing that vision.
What do you think about making sports investments more accessible? Would you invest in a fund like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Leave a Reply