List of Publicly Traded Sports Companies
A comprehensive hub covering sports stocks across 11 sub-industries — from athletic apparel and sporting goods to sports teams, motorsports, golf, skiing, wrestling and more — all listed on major U.S. exchanges.
Sports stocks represent one of the broadest and most diverse segments of the U.S. equity market, spanning publicly traded companies across athletic apparel, sporting goods manufacturing, sports retail, professional team ownership, motorsports, golf, skiing, wrestling, and more — all listed on major U.S. exchanges. Unlike many sectors with clear boundaries, the publicly traded sports universe is fragmented across numerous sub-industries, each with its own demand drivers, business models, and risk profiles. This page serves as a master hub for all publicly traded sports-related companies on InvestSnips, organized by sub-industry with links to full detailed lists for each category. The sub-industries covered range from large-cap household names like Nike (NKE) and Lululemon (LULU) in athletic apparel, to niche operators like ski resort companies and motorsports facility owners. Use the Industry Links section or the Table of Contents below to navigate directly to the sub-industry that interests you most.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What Investors Should Know About Sports Stocks
11 Sub-Industries Span the Full Sports Ecosystem
The publicly traded sports universe on U.S. exchanges covers 11 distinct sub-industries — from athletic apparel and footwear (Nike, Lululemon, Under Armour) to motorsports, golf, skiing, wrestling, and sporting goods retail. Each sub-industry has its own revenue model and sensitivity to consumer spending cycles. Use the full company list below to explore each category in depth.
Pure-Play Sports Team Stocks Are Extremely Rare
Despite there being well over 100 professional sports teams in the United States, only a handful of entities that own professional teams are publicly traded — and most of them hold teams as part of a larger conglomerate structure. The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG), Manchester United (MANU), and Liberty Media's Braves Group (BATRK) are among the few options for investors seeking direct sports franchise exposure. See the full Sports Franchises list for all options.
Athletic Apparel Contains the Largest Market Caps
The athletic apparel and footwear sub-industry contains the largest and most liquid sports-related stocks in the U.S. market, including Nike (NKE) — one of the largest consumer discretionary companies globally — as well as Lululemon Athletica (LULU) and Under Armour (UA). These companies benefit from both performance athletic demand and the broader athleisure megatrend, providing more liquidity and analyst coverage than most other sports sub-sectors. Explore the full Athletic Apparel and Sportswear list.
Sports Betting and Media Are 2026's Fastest-Growing Angles
While this page focuses on the core sports operating companies, the broader sports investment landscape in 2026 is increasingly shaped by sports betting platforms, media rights holders, and streaming services that monetize sports content. The convergence of betting, media, and live sports is driving institutional investor interest at a pace that exceeds traditional sporting goods or team ownership plays. For entertainment and leisure context, see the List of Entertainment Companies.
SECTOR STRUCTURE
Sports Stocks: Sub-Industry Breakdown
The publicly traded sports universe on U.S. exchanges is organized across 11 sub-industries. The table below maps each sub-industry to its business type, key investment characteristics, and links to the full detailed list on InvestSnips.
| Sub-Industry | Business Type | Primary Revenue Driver | Named Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Apparel & Footwear | Manufacturing & Retail | Consumer discretionary; athleisure trend; brand licensing | NKE, LULU, UA, COLM |
| Auto Racing / Motorsports | Venue Operations & Media | Event ticket sales, broadcast rights, sponsorship | ISCA, DVD, FWONK, TRK |
| Bowling Alleys | Venue / Entertainment | Admissions, food & beverage, party bookings | BWL.A |
| Golf | Equipment & Course Ops | Equipment sales, green fees, membership, licensing | GOLF, ELY, AWX, DS |
| Ski Resorts | Resort Operations | Season passes, lodging, lessons, F&B | MTN, SKIS |
| Sporting Goods Manufacturers | Manufacturing | Equipment sales to retailers and consumers; brand royalties | BC, VSTO, ESCA, JOUT |
| Sporting Goods Stores | Specialty Retail | In-store and e-commerce product sales; private label | DKS, BGFV, HIBB, SPWH |
| Sports Franchises / Teams | Ownership / Conglomerate | Ticket sales, media rights, sponsorship, real estate | MSG, MANU, BATRK |
| Sports Retailers (Apparel) | Specialty Retail | Athletic footwear & apparel retail; licensed merchandise | FL, FINL, TLYS, ZUMZ |
| MMA / Combat Sports | Promotion / Media | Event promotion, pay-per-view, sponsorship | AMMA |
| Wrestling | Media & Live Events | Broadcast rights, live events, streaming, merchandise | WWE |
Sports Related Stocks
There are a number of publicly traded sports related companies listed on U.S. exchanges. Here is a little info on each of the sub-industries within this category to help you find trade setups or potential investments in areas that interest you. A list of publicly traded sports stocks can be found by scrolling down or you can access a list of the companies in each group through the industry links on this page.
Athletic Apparel and Footwear: There are a number of companies that focus on sportswear and accessories including Nike who also makes numerous sports equipment items. Some of the larger companies in this section include Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), Nike, Inc. (NKE) and Under Armour, Inc. (UA).
Auto Racing: There are a handful of companies in this section that operate motorsports facilities including facilities that hold NASCAR events. Examples of these companies include International Speedway Corporation (ISCA).
Golf: Included in this section of golf companies are golf equipment manufacturers, golf management companies and golf course operators. Examples of these companies include Callaway Golf Company (ELY).
Skiing: A trio of publicly traded ski resorts is in this section including Vail Resorts, Inc. (MTN) which operates resorts throughout the United States.
Sporting Goods Manufacturers: These companies manufacture sports equipment which can include archery, backpacking, basketball, baseball, biking, climbing, golf, fitness equipment, hunting, lacrosse, roller hockey, scuba and diving, skating, skiing, snowboards, softball, sporting ammunition and firearms, surfing and table tennis equipment, apparel and accessories. Examples of these companies include Brunswick Corporation (BC) and Vista Outdoor Inc. (VSTO).
Sports Retailers: We have two sections for sports retail including sporting goods and sports retail which includes both sporting goods stores and athletic apparel stores. These stores sell a wide range of sporting goods, apparel and footwear including items for cycling, golf, lacrosse, hunting, outdoor sports, rock climbing, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, surfing and team sports. Some of the larger companies include Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) and Foot Locker, Inc. (FL).
Sports Teams: Despite there being well over 100 professional sports teams in the United States, there are very few NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL teams that are publicly traded. The few choices there are normally involve companies that own professional teams in addition to numerous other assets. However, if you are a Knicks or Rangers fan you are in luck as The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is publicly traded. Well-known football club Manchester United Ltd. (MANU) is also in this short list of publicly companies.
Tennis: A couple of over-the-counter makers of tennis rackets in this section including Amer Sports (AGPDY) who owns Wilson Sporting Goods and HEAD who makes alpine skis and tennis rackets.
Wrestling: King of the ring in this category is the only publicly traded company, Vince McMahon's dominant wrestling brand World Wrestling Entertainment.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE)
Related Links:
Industry Links: Sports Stocks
Select the link to access a full list of companies in the selected category along with industry profiles, charts, comparative widgets and links to individual companies.
- Athletic Apparel and Sportswear
- Auto Racing
- Bowling Alleys
- Golf
- Ski Resorts
- Sporting Goods
- Sporting Goods Stores
- Sports Franchises
- Sports Retailers
- Tennis
- Wrestling
Related Links:
Athletic Apparel and Sportswear
- Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) (Outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories: brands include Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Montrail, Pacific Trail and Sorel; retail stores)
- Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) (Footwear, apparel and accessories; casual lifestyle use and high performance activities)
- Foot Locker, Inc. (FL) (Retail stores; athletic footwear and related apparel; brands included: Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports)
- Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (ICON) (Brands include Umbro (Soccer), Danskin (Dance) and Starter)
- Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU) (Canada: yoga-inspired athletic apparel company)
- Nike, Inc. (NKE) (Athletic footwear, apparel and accessories: brands include NIKE, Hurley and Converse)
- Oxford Industries, Inc. (OXM) (Brands include Tommy Bahama (sportswear); Lily Pulitzer (women's and girl's dresses, sportswear); Ben Sherman (men's sportswear))
- The Finish Line, Inc. (FINL) (Retail locations: athletic apparel, shoes and related accessories; specialty running stores)
- Tilly's, Inc. (TLYS) (Action sports apparel and footwear)
- Under Armour, Inc. (UA) (Performance footwear, apparel and equipment)
- Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) (Footwear, as well as apparel and accessories: industrial occupational safety footwear, outdoor high performance outerwear; brands include Hush Puppies, Keds, Wolverine)
- Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) (Retail stores: action sports oriented stores)
Bowling
Golf
- Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF) (IPO October 28, 2016: golf products, brands include Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron and Vokey Design Wedges)
- Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX) (Waste Management; golf courses)
- Callaway Golf Company (ELY) (Golf clubs, balls, apparel, footwear and accessories)
- Drive Shack Inc. (DS) (Golf courses and related properties)
MMA
- Alliance MMA, Inc. (AMMA) (IPO October 6, 2016: operates a mixed martial arts developmental league)
Motorsports
- Dover Motorsports, Inc. (DVD) (Dover International Speedway: NASCAR motorsports events)
- International Speedway Corporation (ISCA) (Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and numerous other racing facilities)
- Liberty Media Corporation Formula One Group (FWONK) (Formula 1; ownership interest in Live Nation Entertainment)
- Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (TRK) (Own and operate racing facilities in multiple markets)
Ski Resorts
Sporting Goods
- Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF) (IPO October 28, 2016: golf products, brands include Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron and Vokey Design Wedges)
- Brunswick Corporation (BC) (Recreational product manufacture: marine engines, motors, parts and accessories; fitness equipment and billiards and table tennis products)
- Callaway Golf Company (ELY) (Golf clubs, balls, apparel, footwear and accessories)
- Clarus Corporation (Outdoor recreational products, bullets, snow safety products)
- Escalade, Incorporated (ESCA) (Sporting Goods (Archery, Basketball and Table Tennis) and Office Equipment)
- Johnson Outdoors Inc. (JOUT) (Canoes, kayaks, paddles, scuba and diving equipment, marine electronics, camping gear, personal cooking systems)
- Nautilus Inc. (The) (NLS) (Cardio and strength equipment for home use: Bowflex, Nautilus, Schwinn)
- Vista Outdoor Inc. (VSTO) (Sporting ammunition and firearms; outdoor accessories; golf rangefinders, performance eyewear)
Sporting Goods Stores
- Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV) (Apparel, athletic shoes, sporting, recreational and fitness equipment; camping, golf, fishing, hunting, in-line skating, snowboarding, tennis)
- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) (Team sports, golf, recreational activities; Field & Stream, Golf Galaxy and True Runner specialty stores)
- Hibbett Sports, Inc. (HIBB) (Athletic footwear, apparel and equipment)
- Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, Inc. (SPWH) (Outdoor sporting goods: hunting, shooting, fishing and camping gear)
- Winmark Corporation (WINA) (Play It Again Sports)
Sports Teams
- BCE, Inc (BCE) (Canada, Telecom: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors)
- Liberty Media Corporation Braves Group (BATRK) (Indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves)
- Manchester United Ltd. (MANU) (Popular football team)
- Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI) (Canada: Communications and Media Company: Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors)
- The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) (New York Knicks and New York Rangers)
Wrestling
DUE DILIGENCE
Risk and Considerations for Sports Stocks
Consumer Discretionary and Cyclical Sensitivity
A significant portion of the sports stock universe — including athletic apparel, sporting goods retailers, and sporting goods manufacturers — derives revenue primarily from consumer discretionary spending. During economic downturns, recessions, or periods of elevated consumer debt, discretionary purchases of athletic footwear, high-end equipment, and premium gym memberships tend to decline. This cyclical sensitivity means many sports stocks can underperform broader market indices during economic contractions, even if underlying brand loyalty remains strong.
Team Performance and Fandom Dependency
For companies that own or are closely tied to professional sports teams — such as The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) or Manchester United (MANU) — financial performance can be meaningfully affected by team success on the field, court, or pitch. Playoff appearances and championship runs drive ticket sales, merchandise revenue, broadcasting bonuses, and sponsor engagement. Conversely, extended losing seasons or failure to qualify for postseason play can reduce fan attendance, merchandise demand, and sponsorship rates. This performance dependency is a risk factor largely absent from most other investment sectors.
Licence, Regulatory, and Broadcast Rights Risk
Broadcasting and media rights are a primary revenue driver for sports franchise companies, motorsports operators, and combat sports promoters. These rights are subject to negotiation renewals, which can result in significant valuation changes when renegotiated at higher or lower rates. Additionally, companies involved in sports betting and gaming face regulatory risk as state-by-state gambling laws continue to evolve in the United States. Motorsports facilities and resort operators also face local permitting, land use, and environmental regulatory requirements that can affect expansion plans and operating costs.
Concentration and Conglomerate Structure Risk
Many publicly traded sports-related companies — particularly in the sports teams category — are structured as conglomerates or holding companies that own sports properties alongside unrelated media, real estate, or telecommunications assets. This means an investor's exposure may not be purely to sports performance; the overall company's stock may move based on unrelated business lines. Additionally, some sub-sectors (such as bowling, MMA, and tennis) have very few or only one publicly traded company, creating concentration risk if an investor overweights those narrow categories. This information is provided for educational context only and does not constitute investment advice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sports Stocks: FAQs
Generally, no — direct ownership shares in most major U.S. professional sports franchises (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) are not available to retail investors because the vast majority of teams are privately owned. The exceptions are a small number of publicly traded parent companies that own teams alongside other assets. Examples from this list include The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG), which owns the New York Knicks and Rangers, and Liberty Media Corporation's Braves Group (BATRK), which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves. Manchester United (MANU) is one of the few international clubs with shares directly listed on a U.S. exchange.
The term "sports stocks" broadly refers to publicly traded companies that participate in the sports industry in any capacity — not just team ownership. This includes athletic apparel manufacturers (Nike, Under Armour), specialty sporting goods retailers (Dick's Sporting Goods, Hibbett Sports), equipment manufacturers (Brunswick, Vista Outdoor), venue operators (Vail Resorts, motorsports facilities), and media and entertainment companies with major sports assets. InvestSnips organizes these into 11 distinct sub-industries covered on this page, each with its own full list.
By market capitalization, the athletic apparel and footwear sub-industry contains the largest publicly traded sports-related companies. Nike, Inc. (NKE) is one of the largest consumer discretionary companies in the world, and Lululemon Athletica (LULU) has grown significantly as athleisure has become a mainstream category. These companies benefit from global brand recognition, licensing revenues, and diversified product lines, giving them a scale advantage over most other sports sub-sectors. The full list is available on the Athletic Apparel and Sportswear page.
Most sports stocks are classified as cyclical or consumer discretionary in nature, meaning their revenues are sensitive to the health of the broader economy and consumer spending power. Premium athletic footwear, golf equipment, and ski resort vacations are examples of discretionary purchases that consumers may defer during economic downturns. However, some sub-sectors — particularly essential sporting goods retail and subscription-based services — have more stable demand characteristics. Investors should evaluate each company's specific revenue model and exposure to economic cycles individually rather than treating the entire sector as defensive.
InvestSnips tracks 11 distinct sub-industries within publicly traded sports stocks: Athletic Apparel and Sportswear, Auto Racing/Motorsports, Bowling Alleys, Golf, Ski Resorts, Sporting Goods Manufacturers, Sporting Goods Stores, Sports Franchises/Teams, Sports Retailers, Tennis, and Wrestling. Each sub-industry has its own dedicated page with full company lists, charts, comparison widgets, and individual company profiles. The Industry Links section on this page provides quick access to each sub-industry.
Broadcasting and media rights are one of the most significant value drivers for sports franchise companies, racing organizations, and combat sports promoters. Rights deals with networks, streaming platforms, and regional sports networks can represent a substantial portion of a sports entity's total revenue. When broadcast rights are renegotiated at higher values — as has consistently been the trend in professional sports — it directly boosts the financial valuation of the associated companies. Conversely, loss of key broadcasting deals or the fragmentation of viewership across streaming services can introduce revenue uncertainty.
There are a limited number of thematic ETFs with significant sports-related exposure. The Invesco Leisure and Entertainment ETF (PEJ) and the Roundhill Sports Betting and iGaming ETF (BETZ) are examples of funds that include sports-adjacent companies in their holdings. Dedicated "sports-only" ETFs remain rare in the U.S. market, and most thematic funds mix sports companies with broader entertainment, gaming, or consumer sector names. Investors should always review a fund's prospectus and current holdings list to understand actual exposure before investing. This reference is for informational purposes only.
InvestSnips covers the full entertainment and leisure sector across multiple pages. You can explore the List of Entertainment Companies for the full sector universe, or browse by market cap tier through the Large-Cap, Mid-Cap, Small-Cap, and Micro-Cap Entertainment and Leisure pages. Related sector lists for Fitness Clubs and Game and Hobby Companies are also available.
Last updated April 2026 · Data sourced from U.S. exchange filings