Kilmer Sports Ventures

Kilmer Sports Ventures is a Canadian private investment firm specializing in sports and entertainment assets. As a division of Kilmer Group, it focuses on investments in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and sports and media sectors. The firm is led by Larry Tanenbaum, a prominent figure in North American sports ownership.

The firm's investment strategy includes platform investments in fundamentally sound businesses with solid cash flows operating in industries with excellent prospects for long-term growth and add-on M&A opportunities. Kilmer Sports Ventures is industry-agnostic but has a preference for investment opportunities in sectors such as food and food-related manufacturing, packaging, contract manufacturing/packaging, industrial products and materials manufacturing, sports and media, information technology and communications, household products and services, business and financial services, environmental and development services, and power generation and electrical infrastructure.

Kilmer Sports Ventures has a notable track record in the sports industry. In May 2024, it acquired AS Saint-Étienne, a French professional football club with a rich history and a dedicated fan base. The acquisition was completed in June 2024, with Ivan Gazidis appointed as the club's president. Additionally, in November 2023, OMERS, one of Canada's largest pension plans, acquired a 5% indirect stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) through a 20% direct stake in Kilmer Sports Inc., which is owned by Larry Tanenbaum. This investment underscores Kilmer Sports Ventures' significant presence in the sports and entertainment sector.

Kilmer Sports Ventures' investment philosophy emphasizes long-term value creation, focusing on companies with strong management teams and stable free cash flow. The firm seeks control investments with like-minded partners and is open to various investment structures, including leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, take-privates, private investments in public equity (PIPEs), and other flexible structures. Its investment criteria include targeting companies with an EBITDA of $10 million or more, with a sweet spot between $20 million and $50 million EBITDA, and considering prospects up to $200 million EBITDA. Equity investments typically range from $75 million to over $500 million, with enterprise values between $100 million and $1 billion.

Kilmer Sports Ventures' portfolio reflects its strategic focus on high-quality sports and entertainment assets. In addition to its investments in AS Saint-Étienne and MLSE, the firm has been involved in various sports-related entities, including Insight Sports Ltd., a leading sports media company involved in the creation, production, and broadcasting of sports and related lifestyle content. Insight Sports holds equity positions in several Canadian specialty television services, including The NHL Network and Score Media, and owns and/or operates the World Fishing Network (WFN) and Game TV. Through Plaza Gaming and Entertainment, Kilmer has invested in the charitable gaming industry in Canada, with operations in Ontario and British Columbia that raise over $20 million per year for local municipal charities.

Kilmer Sports Ventures' approach combines financial acumen with a deep understanding of the sports and entertainment industries, positioning it as a significant player in the Canadian and international markets.