Friday, September 4, 2026

Investment to support continued transformation of college sports and live entertainment through digital and physical sports IP, brand sponsorship, and fan engagement solutions

DALLAS, SAN FRANCISCO & FORT WORTH, TEXAS – TPG, a leading global alternative asset management firm, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Learfield, the nation’s leading media and technology company powering college athletics.

Learfield is one of the largest at-scale commercial platforms in global sports. The company serves as the monetization engine for collegiate sports intellectual property (IP), 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. Learfield’s physical and digital solutions are powered by a proprietary dataset informed by more than 125 million fan records, serving NCAA Division I institutions and the majority of institutions across the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC conferences.

“Learfield is reshaping the future of collegiate athletics and live entertainment, uniting fans, brands, athletes, and universities, and growing our partners’ revenues at unprecedented levels,” said Cole Gahagan, President and CEO of Learfield. “As commercialization trends give rise to new IP-based opportunities, we’re excited to partner with TPG to continue investing in data, media, technology, and the creative solutions that power fan engagement.”

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 will invest 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.

“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,” said Peter McGoohan, Partner at TPG. “Through its deep network and quality offering, Learfield has positioned itself as a trusted partner to colleges across the country, and we look forward to working with Cole and the team to support the company’s next chapter,” said Kris Wong, Business Unit Partner at TPG.

TPG is one of the most experienced private equity investors in media, entertainment, and sports, with investments that have included Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Entertainment Partners, DIRECTV, Fandom, Musixmatch, Spotify, and Troon, among others. In 2025, the firm 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.

Charlesbank Capital Partners will remain a minority investor in Learfield and continue its long-standing partnership with the company. 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.

About Learfield

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

About TPG

TPG is a leading global alternative asset management firm, founded in San Francisco in 1992, with $303 billion of assets under management and investment and operational teams around the world. TPG invests across a broadly diversified set of strategies, including private equity, impact, credit, real estate, and market solutions, and our unique strategy is driven by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Our teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for our fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities.

Contacts

Learfield
Craig Ricks
cricks@learfield.com

TPG
Courtney Power
media@tpg.com

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Friday, August 14, 2026

202627 Texast HS football Players Dies After Medical Emergency at Practice

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/safety-security/article/15832515/texas-high-school-football-player-dies-after-medical-emergency-at-practice?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATHLCD260814002&utm_term=&oly_enc_id=5245H2863912E1Z

Sean McAndrews, MA
Associate AD Senior Compliance, Administration

3047664122 office

West Virginia State University

NCAA D2

MEC CHARTER MEMBER

https://ncaad2rules.blogspot.com/

"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise" - Anonymous

Please report IT, COL and Physical Facilities issues by sending an email with complete information to the appropriate address:

IT-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

col-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

Facilities - Janitorial

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Tuesday, August 11, 2026

202223 D1 LAWSUIT - MUST READ

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2026/ncaa-wisne-injunction-stay-denied-roster-chaos-1234941514/?utm_source=The+NightCap&utm_campaign=b6b2b5dc31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_08_11_08_35&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b6b2b5dc31-218709093

"A group of a dozen athletes—including basketball players Brock Wisne, Aidan Shaw and Cade Tyson—maintain that it is a violation of antitrust law to deny them a chance to play another season when they could earn NIL and revenue-sharing money. The NCAA argues allowing players who have already exhausted their eligibility to play another season would jeopardize roster spots provided to freshmen and others who could be displaced, especially since many coaches would prefer seasoned, 22- and 23-year-old players as opposed to freshman."

Sean McAndrews, MA
Associate AD Senior Compliance, Administration

3047664122 office

West Virginia State University

NCAA D2

MEC CHARTER MEMBER

https://ncaad2rules.blogspot.com/

"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise" - Anonymous

Please report IT, COL and Physical Facilities issues by sending an email with complete information to the appropriate address:

IT-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

col-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

Facilities - Janitorial

Click link to start workorder

Monday, August 10, 2026

HS FB player hurt during August Practice

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/safety-security/article/15832006/high-school-football-player-airlifted-to-hospital-following-injury-during-scrimmage?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATHLCD260810002&utm_term=&oly_enc_id=5245H2863912E1Z

Sean McAndrews, MA
Associate AD Senior Compliance, Administration

3047664122 office

West Virginia State University

NCAA D2

MEC CHARTER MEMBER

https://ncaad2rules.blogspot.com/

"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise" - Anonymous

Please report IT, COL and Physical Facilities issues by sending an email with complete information to the appropriate address:

IT-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

col-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

Facilities - Janitorial

Click link to start workorder

Texas HS Football Coach Suspended due to Tackle practices in May

https://www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/governing-bodies/article/15832007/high-school-football-coach-who-allowed-may-practices-with-equipment-suspended-for-season?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATHLCD260810002&utm_term=&oly_enc_id=5245H2863912E1Z

Sean McAndrews, MA
Associate AD Senior Compliance, Administration

3047664122 office

West Virginia State University

NCAA D2

MEC CHARTER MEMBER

https://ncaad2rules.blogspot.com/

"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise" - Anonymous

Please report IT, COL and Physical Facilities issues by sending an email with complete information to the appropriate address:

IT-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

col-helpdesk@wvstateu.edu

Facilities - Janitorial

Click link to start workorder

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Education Department Issues ‘National Call to Action’ to University Leaders

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC <info-steptoe-johnson.com@shared1.ccsend.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 4, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Subject: Education Department Issues ‘National Call to Action’ to University Leaders
To: <mcandrse@wvstateu.edu>

Education Department Issues ‘National Call to Action’ to University Leaders

Details

On August 3, 2026, Education Secretary Linda McMahon issued a letter to college and university leaders titled “A National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards.” The letter urges every postsecondary institution to describe, before the end of 2026, its commitments to “rigorous teaching, pathbreaking research, and national service” and to post these statements prominently on institutional websites.

The letter poses specific questions that institutions should answer and identifies seven reform areas:

Providing admissions transparency and ensuring merit-based decisions that comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard
Protecting free speech while preventing protests from disrupting classes, research, and management of campus operations
Fostering intellectual pluralism in faculty hiring and across academic disciplines
Containing costs and improving pricing transparency so that students can access high-return degrees and repay their loans
Combating grade inflation and incentivizing academic rigor in the age of AI
Safeguarding the research enterprise from foreign influence by refusing gifts with problematic conditions
Prioritizing American students, faculty, and national security interests in research and academic programming ahead of global commitments

Notably, the letter was developed in collaboration with the Association of American Universities and several university presidents, signaling an attempt at a cooperative rather than purely adversarial approach between the administration and higher education leadership.

A White House official told The Chronicle of Higher Education that no funding is tied to making the changes outlined in the letter, but the administration will work with universities willing to engage in broader changes to the federal research apparatus. Given ongoing efforts to restructure research grant funding, institutions should monitor this initiative closely, as it may foreshadow future conditions on federal research grants or other funding mechanisms.

Please contact Steptoe & Johnson’s Higher Education Team for more information or for assistance in preparing institutional responses to the National Call to Action. We will continue to track developments and are available to discuss the potential implications for your institution.

Authors

Jim Newberry

Member | Business

(502) 423-2052

Click Here to Email

Ryan G. Stevens

Associate | Litigation

(502) 423-2020

Click Here to Email

These materials are public information and have been prepared solely for educational purposes. These materials reflect only the personal views of the authors and are not individualized legal advice. It is understood that each case is fact-specific, and that the appropriate solution in any case will vary. Therefore, these materials may or may not be relevant to any particular situation. Thus, the authors and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC cannot be bound either philosophically or as representatives of their various present and future clients to the comments expressed in these materials. The presentation of these materials does not establish any form of attorney-client relationship with the authors or Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. While every attempt was made to ensure that these materials are accurate, errors or omissions may be contained therein, for which any liability is disclaimed.

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