Apollo Sports Capital Invests $225 Million in Pickleball Inc. to Create Parent of PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball

Paddletek Group Acquires PIKKL and Signs Professional Pickleball Players

July 10, 2026

Consumer Products

Paddletek Group announced the acquisition of PIKKL, a performance pickleball paddle company, as part of its strategy to expand its technology and product portfolio. Alongside the acquisition, Paddletek also signed professional pickleball players JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Julie Johnson, and Hurricane Tyra Black to expand Team Paddletek.

Apollo Funds and Alpine Investors Acquire Minority Stake in Apex Service Partners

May 29, 2026

IT Services

Apex Service Partners entered into a definitive agreement for Apollo Funds (funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management) to acquire a minority stake in the company. Alpine Investors, Apex’s existing investor, will also make an additional investment alongside Apollo to support Apex’s continued growth, including expansion of its national footprint, multi-trade service offerings, and technology/workforce infrastructure.

Bluestone Equity Partners Makes $30M Growth Investment in Selkirk Sport

January 20, 2026

Consumer Products

Bluestone Equity Partners invested $30 million into Selkirk Sport to accelerate product innovation and expand the pickleball equipment and sportswear brand globally. The deal is structured as Selkirk’s first external capital raise, with Bluestone taking a minority stake while the Barnes family retains majority control.

Apollo Sports Capital Becomes Majority Shareholder of Atlético de Madrid

November 10, 2025

Professional Services

Atlético de Madrid announced a strategic partnership with Apollo Sports Capital, under which Apollo will become the club’s new majority shareholder following an agreement with existing shareholders. The long-term investment is intended to strengthen Atlético de Madrid’s financial position, support continued sporting success, and fund major infrastructure development projects, including the “Ciudad del Deporte” district adjacent to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

Playmaker Capital Acquires The Sports Drop

April 8, 2022

Media & Entertainment

Playmaker Capital Inc., a Toronto-based digital sports media company, has acquired U.S.-based sports publisher The Sports Drop. The acquisition expands Playmaker's U.S. audience reach (The Sports Drop averages ~30 million monthly page views) and brings The Sports Drop's founder, Mike Bellom, into Playmaker's senior leadership to drive paid media and monetization synergies.

KKR and Panoramic Ventures Make Strategic Investment in PlayOn! Sports

February 1, 2022

Media & Entertainment

KKR has made a significant strategic investment in PlayOn! Sports, the operator of the NFHS Network, alongside existing shareholder Panoramic Ventures. The growth capital will support PlayOn!'s product development and expansion of its high school sports media and technology offerings across the U.S.; financial terms were not disclosed.