Overview
- The school announced Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC, owned by the university foundation, to centralize sponsorships, ticketing, event revenues, and trademarks/licensing.
- Reporting identifies New York-based Otro Capital as the private equity partner, with the arrangement expected to generate roughly $500 million and be finalized early next year.
- Officials emphasize majority ownership and decision-making remain with Utah, with the foundation appointing a board majority and Athletic Director Mark Harlan serving as chair.
- The venture is described as the first private-equity partnership of its kind in college sports and is positioned to manage athlete revenue-sharing under the new compensation landscape.
- CBS Sports reporting indicates Otro will receive a share of annual revenue, with a five- to seven-year exit window and a university right to buy back the investor’s stake.