Browns selling small stake of team to private equity firm, reports say
The Cleveland Browns are set to sell a three percent stake in the team to Arctos, a private equity firm.
Arctos, a private equity firm, will purchase a 3% stake in the Cleveland Browns , according to multiple reports. Private equity firms’ entry into NFL ownership represents a recent trend. The league approved the sale of such small stakes in August of 2024.
Such a move allows owners to tap into almost instant cash liquidity. While it’s difficult to know what the Browns are currently worth, recent valuations from Forbes - $6. 4 billion – and CNBC - $7.
15 billion – could provide $192 million-$214. 5 million in cash. Given the investment the team is making in a new facility in Brook Park and a degree of uncertainty that surrounds a portion of the financing courtesy of a lawsuit tying up the use of unclaimed funds, the move could prove significant.
The Browns previously sold a 0. 1% ownership stake in the team to Pro Football Hall of Fame member Charles Woodson. It was later undone due to Woodson's ownership of a liquor company.