Danish SailGP Team Sale Sets Valuation Record

The Denmark SailGP team has been sold in a record-breaking transaction, underlining the accelerating commercial momentum behind the global sailing league and reinforcing SailGP’s franchise model as a growing asset class within international sport.

The team, previously known as ROCKWOOL Racing, has been acquired by American Magic, the high-performance sailing organisation backed by US sports investor Doug DeVos, in a deal reported to value the franchise at around $60 million. The transaction marks the highest price paid for a SailGP team to date and reflects increasing investor confidence in the league’s long-term commercial potential.

The sale represents a significant milestone in SailGP’s transition toward independently owned national teams, a strategic direction designed to mirror franchise-based models seen in major global sports. Established by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Olympic sailing champion Russell Coutts, SailGP has invested heavily in building a centralised competition platform, including standardised F50 catamarans, global event infrastructure and commercial partnerships, before progressively introducing private ownership to scale the league’s valuation and financial sustainability.

American Magic’s acquisition brings together two prominent forces in elite sailing. The US-based outfit, best known for its involvement in the America’s Cup, expands its footprint into SailGP through the Danish franchise, which has established a strong competitive and sustainability profile within the circuit. Led by driver Nicolai Sehested, the team has been among the league’s most consistent performers and has earned recognition for environmental initiatives and impact-led programmes aligned with SailGP’s broader purpose-driven positioning.

The record valuation highlights the growing appeal of SailGP’s commercial structure, which combines high-speed competition with a global event calendar staged in premium waterfront locations. Often described as the “Formula One of sailing,” the league has attracted increasing sponsor investment and media interest, supported by its emphasis on cutting-edge technology, clean energy initiatives and fan engagement experiences.

The transaction also reflects wider investment trends across sport, where private capital and institutional investors are targeting emerging leagues with scalable media rights and franchise growth potential. For SailGP, independent team ownership is viewed as central to building long-term enterprise value, enabling teams to develop local commercial partnerships, strengthen national identity and unlock new revenue streams.

From a strategic perspective, the Danish team’s sale sets a benchmark for future franchise valuations and signals a maturing marketplace around professional sailing properties. As SailGP continues to expand its global footprint and commercial ecosystem, the deal provides further evidence that technology-driven, event-led sports properties are attracting increasing attention from investors seeking exposure to premium international competition formats.

The record transaction reinforces SailGP’s ambitions to position itself alongside established global sports leagues, while demonstrating how ownership innovation and investor appetite are reshaping the economic landscape of modern sailing.