Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Business of Sport: The Second Half
HEC House, London, United Kingdom
March 2026
QLA participated in the private event “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Business of Sport: The Second Half”, hosted by Cognitive Creators and MARA.
The session brought together a select group of investors, operators, and advisors to examine the evolving structure of sports investments and the increasing role of institutional capital in the sector.
March 2026
QLA participated in the private event “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Business of Sport: The Second Half”, hosted by Cognitive Creators and MARA.
The session brought together a select group of investors, operators, and advisors to examine the evolving structure of sports investments and the increasing role of institutional capital in the sector.
The Panelists
Samir Ceric is an investor, entrepreneur, and senior executive recognised for pioneering the digitalisation of the sports industry. A former elite athlete and football club chairman, he has championed innovations in fan engagement, sustainability, MedTech, and AI in sport. He recently launched a global sports investment platform and is Chairman of Ceric & Co, a 7th-generation family office built on values of trust, creativity, and principled leadership.
Sasha Ryazantsev is the CFO Advisor at ALK Capital, the owners of Burnley FC and RCD Espanyol, where he oversees the Group’s financial operations. He has played a key part in major refinancing and fund-raising activities of the group, as well as the closing of the RCD Espanyol acquisition. Sasha joined ALK in 2023 after five years on the Board of Everton FC in charge of strategy, financing, commercial growth and the design and construction of the new stadium.
Mark Blundell is a Former F1 Driver, entrepreneur, investor, CEO and Founder of MBP, honouring his expertise for more than three decades in the upper echelons of elite global sport. Mark competed at the very top of world motorsport, including Formula One, IndyCar and World Rally. Across the last fifteen years, Mark has established himself as one of Europe’s most respected motorsport managers as CEO of the leading sports management and marketing group, MBP.
Moderated by Laszlo Alpar Lukacs, a former investment banker turned investor and entrepreneur in the digital sector. Over the past decade, the companies he co-founded delivered value in more than 20 countries. Together with his team, he created Digital Due Diligence, the framework used by investors and executives to quantify the financial value of an organization’s digital assets, technology, and brand.
The Panelists
Samir Ceric is an investor, entrepreneur, and senior executive recognised for pioneering the digitalisation of the sports industry. A former elite athlete and football club chairman, he has championed innovations in fan engagement, sustainability, MedTech, and AI in sport. He recently launched a global sports investment platform and is Chairman of Ceric & Co, a 7th-generation family office built on values of trust, creativity, and principled leadership.
Sasha Ryazantsev is the CFO Advisor at ALK Capital, the owners of Burnley FC and RCD Espanyol, where he oversees the Group’s financial operations. He has played a key part in major refinancing and fund-raising activities of the group, as well as the closing of the RCD Espanyol acquisition. Sasha joined ALK in 2023 after five years on the Board of Everton FC in charge of strategy, financing, commercial growth and the design and construction of the new stadium.
Mark Blundell is a Former F1 Driver, entrepreneur, investor, CEO and Founder of MBP, honouring his expertise for more than three decades in the upper echelons of elite global sport. Mark competed at the very top of world motorsport, including Formula One, IndyCar and World Rally. Across the last fifteen years, Mark has established himself as one of Europe’s most respected motorsport managers as CEO of the leading sports management and marketing group, MBP.
Moderated by Laszlo Alpar Lukacs, a former investment banker turned investor and entrepreneur in the digital sector. Over the past decade, the companies he co-founded delivered value in more than 20 countries. Together with his team, he created Digital Due Diligence, the framework used by investors and executives to quantify the financial value of an organization’s digital assets, technology, and brand.
Key Themes Discussed
I) The state of sports investments in 2026
II) Infrastructure and real estate – the new backbone of sports investmens
III) Multi Club and Multi Sport Ownership – the platform play of sports investment
IV) New sports, new leagues, new geographies: the next wave of growth?
V) Digital Due Diligence – how technology is enabling transparent evaluation of the investment opportunities
VI) SPVs in sport investments – allowing more investors to be part of the game
Key Themes Discussed
I) The state of sports investments in 2026
II) Infrastructure and real estate – the new backbone of sports investmens
III) Multi Club and Multi Sport Ownership – the platform play of sports investment
IV) New sports, new leagues, new geographies: the next wave of growth?
V) Digital Due Diligence – how technology is enabling transparent evaluation of the investment opportunities
VI) SPVs in sport investments – allowing more investors to be part of the game
QLA Perspective
From QLA’s standpoint, many of these discussions reinforce a consistent observation:
Traditional due diligence frameworks are no longer sufficient in sports transactions.
A significant portion of both risk and value sits within:
digital systems and data flows
operational infrastructure
governance structures
and stakeholder alignment dynamics
These elements require a more integrated approach to diligence and structuring — particularly for family offices and private equity investors operating in complex environments.
QLA Perspective
From QLA’s standpoint, many of these discussions reinforce a consistent observation:
Traditional due diligence frameworks are no longer sufficient in sports transactions.
A significant portion of both risk and value sits within:
digital systems and data flows
operational infrastructure
governance structures
and stakeholder alignment dynamics
These elements require a more integrated approach to diligence and structuring — particularly for family offices and private equity investors operating in complex environments.
We continue to engage with partners and investors across sports, infrastructure, and private markets where:
a) structure matters more than access;
b) and investment committee decision quality defines long-term outcomes.
Acknowledgements
We appreciate the discussions with Attila, Andre, Giuseppe, Frédéric, Stephan, László, Mark, Simon and other participants.
Special thanks to Cognitive Creators and MARA for hosting.
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