Russ Rausch

"You can either sit there and do the same old thing or you can innovate.” Bruin Capital CEO George Pyne talks about how the new media landscape has changed how sports leagues like MLB & UFC operate as well as the disruption it has caused within the golf world. Catch more in the latest episode of Portfolio Players, presented by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

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Private credit and banks play unique yet complementary roles within the financing ecosystem.   While banks can offer access to liquidity in the short term, private credit managers like Blue Owl Capital aim to provide value throughout a wide range of economic and political environments.   Watch my full conversation on CNBC’s “The Exchange" to learn more. https://lnkd.in/eX-mzVr2

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KippsDeSanto & Co. is pleased to announce that its client, Kranze Technology Solutions, Inc. (“KTS” or the “Company”), has been acquired by SPX Technologies (“SPX”, NYSE:SPXC). Headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, KTS is a leading provider for advanced Digital Interoperability (“DI”) and tactical networking solutions for the U.S Department of Defense (“DoD”) customers, particularly with the US Marine Corps. The Company’s solutions integrate and distribute real-time information across multiple communications domains and platforms to enhance situational awareness, coordination, and tactical execution during operations. Read more about the transaction here: https://lnkd.in/effwJZZF

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🏟️ Youth Sports Are Broken, But They Don’t Have to Be As a former Division I athlete and a father of four (my oldest is only 9), I spend many weekends at fields, courts, and gyms. And while I’m deeply grateful for what sports teach, discipline, teamwork, and grit, I’m also struck by how inefficient and fragmented the current youth sports system has become. 🤯 Parents are investing thousands (and thousands) of dollars into club programs, private trainers, recruiting services, nutritionists, and mental coaches, most of which operate in silos. There’s no integration, little data, and even less clarity on ROI. 🎯 In short, we’re all trying to build a house with five contractors who aren’t talking to each other. 💡 So what’s the opportunity? ✅ Roll up fragmented club programs and training providers under one roof ✅ Standardize coaching, facilities, data, and development paths ✅ Segment into thoughtful tiers, just like college or the pros: DI / “Majors” for top 5–10% talent DII / “Minors” for serious, developing athletes DIII / Rec for kids who want fun and fundamentals This isn’t about elite-only access. It’s about right-sizing competition, improving development, and improving the system. 🏃‍♂️⚖️🏃‍♀️ 🔁 What other industries have already figured out Healthcare, education, fitness, and service businesses have been rolled up, integrated, and improved. Why not youth sports? With the right infrastructure and leadership, we could 💰 Reduce costs through scale 📊 Improve development with aligned data 🔍 Bring clarity to recruiting: families would finally have honest benchmarks and pathways 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Support families better: aligned schedules, reduced travel, child care, and sanity. We’ve been studying the space and speaking with nationwide operators who are trying to solve this, and momentum is building. Youth sports should be a platform for life, not just a path to scholarships or pro dreams. It’s time to think bigger, smarter, and long-term. 🧠⚽🏀⚾ Parents, coaches, investors—what are you seeing out there? What’s working? What’s not? #YouthSports #Leadership #AthleteDevelopment #Parenting #SportsBusiness #PrivateEquity #RollUps #NextGenAthletes

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Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital Partners thinks the sports world might be in bubble territory. He told CNBC that team valuations have gotten too high, too fast—and that the idea they’ll always go up isn’t a sound investment strategy.⁠ Backing that up is new data from Arctos Partners and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. They built an index tracking sports team transactions over 60 years, and the takeaway is clear: valuations have increased every decade, with a particularly significant surge in recent years.⁠ ⁠ Cardinale isn't saying the industry isn’t valuable, but he’s warning investors to be cautious. At some point, he thinks the market needs a reality check.⁠ ⁠ (via CNBC)

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Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Neil Katz takes his inspiration from professional athletes. Lets discuss… 🏅 What Can Professional Athletes Teach Us About Business Success? 🏀⚽ Athletes are more than just competitors—they're masters of mindset, discipline, and resilience. Here’s how their approach can inspire your business: 💡 Focus on the Fundamentals: Just as athletes perfect the basics, strong businesses thrive on getting core strategies right. 💡 Set Big Goals and Micro Goals: Dream big, but tackle it one step at a time, like training for the championship game. 💡 Bounce Back from Losses: Athletes don’t dwell on setbacks—they analyze, adapt, and move forward. Your business arena may not have a scoreboard, but the principles of preparation, teamwork, and persistence can drive you to the win. 🏆 What lessons have you learned from watching or playing sports? Let’s share in the comments! 💬Neal, #youvebeenpackyed #bisonwealth #proathletes

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🔸Wipfli scores #PE investment from New Mountain Capital 🔸 “The valuation for Wipfli is north of $1 billion, according to Koltin Consulting Group, Inc. CEO Allan Koltin, who worked as an advisor on the deal. Wipfli expects to book revenues of $700 million for the year ending May 2026 (the firm earned $621 million in the prior year). Wipfli has a three-year goal of reaching $1 billion in revenue. The firm has more than 3,000 people, including about 250 partners.” W/ Accounting Today, Mike Cohn, Kurt Gresens, CPA, CMA, Kelly M Fisher, JD, CPA, MST, Andre Moura, Guggenheim Securities, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Godfrey & Kahn, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Koltin Consulting Group, Inc., Kirkland & Ellis, Vedder Price https://lnkd.in/gyvvyiPC

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We’re seeing some optimism return to the M&A market heading into the second half of 2025. Deals that have been in the works are increasingly reaching the finish line and as these deals get announced, that momentum may pull more sellers off the sidelines. Though some uncertainty remains, pressure to deploy and return capital is pushing both investors and sellers to act. In an uncertain environment, conviction is becoming a competitive advantage. Despite earlier hesitation, investor sentiment is stronger today than at any point since Liberation Day. #Tariffs #MergersandAcquisitions #PrivateMarkets

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Private equity deal in college sports coming by year’s end !   American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti said the “reality” of private equity talk in college sports is there is “going to be a deal in the marketplace before the end of the calendar year.”   https://lnkd.in/g_h67PdM   #FIH #lacrosse #collegesports #femalesports #privateequity #duke #youthsports First Inning Holdings

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Has the youth sports craze/business gone hyperbolic to our detriment? In today’s Capital Record podcast David analyzes how a free and virtuous society ought to think about a $40 billion industry of 11-year olds traveling multiple states to play little league sports. https://lnkd.in/eKJMnKDb

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