TPG, a global alternative asset management firm based in Fort Worth and San Francisco, is acquiring Dallas-based Learfield, a media and tech company that serves as a “monetization engine” for collegiate sports intellectual property.

Learfield is one of the largest at-scale commercial platforms in global sports, TPG said, linking more than 12,000 brands and over 1,200 institutions with an integrated suite of sponsorship and media solutions, ticketing technology, licensing management, name, image, and likeness (NIL) strategy, and AI-enabled data platforming.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Learfield’s solutions are powered by a proprietary dataset informed by more than 125 million fan records, TPG noted. The company serves NCAA Division I institutions and the majority of institutions across the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC conferences.

Cole Gahagan, Learfield’s president and CEO, said his company is “reshaping the future of collegiate athletics and live entertainment, uniting fans, brands, athletes, and universities, and growing our partners’ revenues at unprecedented levels.”

“As commercialization trends give rise to new IP-based opportunities,” he added in a statement, “we’re excited to partner with TPG to continue investing in data, media, technology, and the creative solutions that power fan engagement.”

Investing through TPG Capital and TPG Sports

TPG said the partnership will provide Learfield with additional capital and resources to accelerate growth and innovation across its integrated platform, including sports sponsorships, ticketing (Paciolan), website and mobile app (SIDEARM Sports), and licensed merchandise division (CLC).

TPG is investing in Learfield through TPG Capital, the firm’s U.S. and European private equity platform, and TPG Sports, the firm’s dedicated investing business focused on partnering with leading companies and platforms shaping the future of sports.

TPG Partner Peter McGoohan said Learfield’s platform “is catalyzing the growth of college sports by connecting thousands of premier brands to leading athletic programs, facilitating unique monetization opportunities for institutions while connecting sponsors to loyal fan bases nationwide.”

Kris Wong, another TPG partner, said Learfield’s “deep network and quality offering” has positioned the company as a trusted partner to colleges across the country.

More on the deal

Charlesbank Capital Partners will remain a minority investor in Learfield and continue its long-standing partnership with the company, TPG said. Learfield’s other investors will exit their stakes as part of the transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.

Evercore acted as lead financial advisor to TPG. The Raine Group also acted as financial advisor to the firm. Ropes & Gray LLP and Mintz served as legal counsel to TPG. Moelis & Co LLC acted as the lead financial advisor to Learfield, and BofA Securities also acted as financial advisor to the company. Davis Polk served as the company’s legal counsel.

More on TPG

TPG one of the nation’s leading private equity investors in media, entertainment, and sports, with investments that have included Creative Artists Agency, Entertainment Partners, DIRECTV, Fandom, Musixmatch, Spotify, and Troon, among others.

In 2025, TPG launched TPG Sports in partnership with Rory McIlroy, Sean O’Flaherty, and their team at Symphony Ventures to bring the firm’s signature transformation-oriented private equity approach” to sports investing.

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