Ariel Investments
Ariel Investments involvement with sporting organisations
Founded 1983 by John W. Rogers, Jnr, and the first Black-founded mutual fund in the U.S. with 95% of the company owned by its employees and board
HQ Chicago, offices in New York, San Francisco, and Sydney
Jan 2025 AuM $14.9bn
Mellody Hobson, Co CEO & President. Married to filmmaker George Lucas, oversees strategic growth and partnerships. She chairs Starbucks’ board and sits on JPMorgan Chase’s board.
Other Key Executives
Leslie Brun: Head of Ariel Alternatives and architect of Project Black, which secured a $200 million co-investment commitment from JPMorgan Chase.
Jason Wright Managing Partner of Project Level. Former president of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, Wright leads investments in women’s sports
Sporting Organisations Investments
Three fold investments, John, Melody and Ariel
Ariel Investments
2011 held stakes in Madison Square Gardens Entertainment & Madison Square Gardens Sports who owns the NBA New York Knicks & NHL New York Rangers
Manchester United - Ariel investments has held shares since 2021
Ariel owns 8.3million shares, 15.7% of the clubs Class A Shares
8.3million shares = $133.5m
2022 sold 3m shares for $67m, Utd where for sale
2023 shares declined due to reduced takeover speculation allowing Ariel to purchase them back for a cheaper price
John Rogers
WNBA Chicago Sky since 2005
Member of Nike Board 2018
Minority shares in Manchester United
Mellody Hobson
WNBA league
WNBA Chicago Sky since 2005
NFL Denver Broncos
MLB Chicago White Sox
League One Volleyball organisation
Project Live
2025 Ariel Launched ‘Project Level’ a dedicated Women’s sports acceleration fund
Lead investor in NWSL newest franchise Denver
Project Level board includes Lewis Hamilton, Queen Latifah, Stella McCartney