Alts Innovators: Gennaro Leo on Sports Ownership
Welcome to the second episode in our mini-series on the alternative asset market.
Gennaro Leo is a sports executive and the co-founder of Austin Sports Ventures, a firm that partners with venture capital and private equity firms to invest in and operate assets across professional sports leagues, teams, and high-growth technology startups.
In this episode of Tuesdays with Morrisey, we discuss how sports ownership is changing and growing into a sophisticated asset class that combines real estate, technology, media and entertainment.
1. Sports ownership has evolved from a passion-driven pursuit into an institutional asset class. What began with local owners now attracts private equity and global investors seeking stable, outperforming returns.
2. Media and entertainment continue at the center of sports. Many consider sports to be the last frontier of live entertainment, and the emergence of deals like Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, shows like Netflix’s Drive to Survive, and the popularity of TikTok sensation Savannah Bananas show the convergence of modern media and sports. This was a central theme in our 2024 episode with Ari Temkin, “Why Live Sports Dominate Streaming and Audio Is Thriving”.
3. Stadiums and sports-related real estate development serve as community anchors, hosting concerts, graduations, and local events nearly every day of the year. Venues like SoFi Stadium and The Star in Dallas showcase how sports infrastructure fuels real estate and community growth.
4. Italian soccer has become a case study in global sports ownership, with American investors now owning more than half of Serie A clubs. Gennaro’s experience at AS Roma and Hellas Verona highlights the need for process, discipline, and respect for tradition when foreign owners enter a league.
5. As ownership and media distribution models continue to evolve, opportunities open up for players, fans, and investors. We’re seeing athlete-led venture funds to architecturally significant mixed-use developments, and increasingly, the convergence of sports with media, tech, and real estate.
Full List of Topics Covered
- Gennaro’s career spanning tech, media, real estate and sports ownership
- The evolution of stadiums as community and economic hubs
- U.S. investment in European football and its impact
- How media innovation drives sports growth
- The intersection of sports, tech, and real estate
- Building sustainable value in a global sports ecosystem
- The future of the player and fan experience, and ownership models
Gennaro Leo is an accomplished operator and investor with expertise spanning venture capital, private equity, sports management, and technology commercialization. He co-founded Austin Sports Ventures, partnering with Next Coast Ventures and Presidio Investors to manage and invest in professional sports assets and high-growth companies, including leading the acquisition and commercial strategy for Hellas Verona FC. Previously, he held senior roles at CAA ICON and A.S. Roma, overseeing major stadium and venue projects, and earlier in his career, he helped commercialize over 100 NSF-backed startups through the Innovation Accelerator & National Innovation Fund.
