January 29 – Sports investment firm Apex has invested in the rapidly growing six-a-side Ballers League, alongside a roster of its football stars – including Diogo Dalot, Diogo Jota, Mason Mount, José Fonte, André Silva, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu – who are participating financially in the league.
The group took part in a €23 million Series A funding round led by EQT Ventures, fueling the league’s ambitious expansion plans.
Following a successful debut season in Germany, where it averaged over 3 million viewers per matchday on Twitch, Ballers League is set to launch new competitions in the UK and U.S. in 2025, with the UK league kicking off by the end of the quarter.
In a bid to further engage its digitally native audience, the league has also announced YouTube stars KSI and IShowSpeed as league presidents for the UK and U.S. markets, respectively, leveraging their massive followings to drive interest and growth.
“This marks another significant step for APEX, proving that we can access the best investment opportunities in the industry of sports”, said António Caçorino, CEO of APEX.
“We attended a couple of live Baller League games in Germany last year. We are confident it will be an international success, and excited to join the project at such an early stage.”
Apex is an investment company that invests alongside elite athletes in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors with a focus on businesses that bring change to the way sports and media are consumed, experienced, and participated in. To date, they have closed more than 18 deals and partnered with 100+ athletes across multiple sports, including F1, Formula E, Premier League, LaLiga, PGA, WSL, Boxing, Rugby Union, NFL, and NBA.
Apex investments include a stake in Venezia FC and significant investments in Alpine F1 Team and the Bay Golf Club, one of the six franchises competing in the PGA-backed TGL golf league.
Felix Starck, founder and Baller League CEO, said: “Closing a funding round with such strategic capital is always a proud moment for a founder. APEX understands the concept and culture in Baller’s DNA, bringing valuable experience from investing in other emerging properties. Additionally, their ability to involve professional athletes as investors adds a unique layer of support.”
The Ballers League positions itself as a direct rival to Gerard Piqué’s 7-a-side Kings League, which has been a major success in the small-sided football scene. While the Kings League has secured over 20 media partners and major sponsors for its latest Kings World Cup of Nations tournament – signalling its ambition to move beyond social media and establish itself as a standalone brand – the Ballers League is taking a different approach.
Piqué’s competition has leaned on star power, bringing back retired icons like Francesco Totti and Kaká to drive interest. In contrast, the Ballers League is targeting a younger, digitally native audience by leveraging Twitch and enlisting internet celebrities such as KSI and iShowSpeed – figures with massive online followings but little direct connection to professional football – to fuel its growth.
Portuguese and Liverpool striker Diogo Jota said: “Baller League has a lot of crossover with the world of Esports and streaming, concepts I understand well. The twitch numbers achieved in Germany in their first season are a strong indicator of the success Baller can have in the UK and US markets.”
Mason Mount, England and Manchester United, echoed Jota: “Baller League brings football together with social media influencers who have huge followings. It’s a great way to make the game more accessible and reach even more fans.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1739839177labto1739839177ofdlr1739839177owedi1739839177sni@g1739839177niwe.1739839177yrrah1739839177