Alex Rodriguez made his name as one of the greatest baseball players of his generation. Now, he’s looking to become one of the best businessmen of his generation. Earlier this month, Rodriguez joined the Professional Fighters League as an investor and a member of the league’s board of directors.
“I love the global reach of MMA,” Rodriguez said in a press release.
“The PFL continues to build and innovate for fans, media, and fighters and there is massive demand in the marketplace.”
Rodriguez is far from the only star to invest in the emerging mixed martial arts promotion. Previously, Super Bowl Champion Ray Lewis, music superstar Wiz Khalifa and Washington Nationals Owner Mark Lerner stepped up as key investors. Including this recent round of funding, the PFL has been able to garner more than $200 million. The league’s financial backing coupled with its premier broadcasting partners at ESPN has allowed it to become one of the fastest growing sports leagues in the world.
“While it is clear that sports is the most valuable content and intellectual property in the world, what is also becoming increasingly clear is that MMA is the growth sports business of this decade,” PFL Founder and Chairman Donn Davis said.
“The MMA category is on fire, and while UFC is the first winner in this market, several major valuable companies will be built, and PFL has secured the #2 market position and is the fastest growing and most innovative company in MMA.”
The PFL will return to ESPN with a three-week run of featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight bouts in Atlanta, Georgia next month.
