Sports
Reports: 49ers exploring selling 10 percent stake of franchise
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The San Francisco 49ers are the latest NFL team to explore selling up to 10 percent of the franchise, according to multiple media reports on Wednesday.
The 49ers are valued at $6.86 billion — fifth in the league — according to Sportico’s most recent rankings. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that the franchise could have a valuation of more than $9 billion — making it one of the most expensive sports teams in the world.
The NFL approved a policy in August that allows private equity firms to buy up to 10 percent of teams, leading some franchises to seek new limited partnerships, which is boosting valuations.
The 49ers, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on the reports. Jed York, the team’s chief executive officer, became the franchise’s principal owner in March 2024.
The team’s business arm, 49ers Enterprises, also has invested in a soccer club and reportedly is pursuing purchase of another. 49ers Enterprises in 2023 bought full control of Leeds United of the English Championship, a division below the Premier League. Rangers FC, a Scottish soccer club, is now on its radar, according to a Sportico report.
Three private equity firms got NFL approval in December to make deals to acquire limited partnerships in teams. Arctos Partners purchased 10 percent of the Buffalo Bills, and Ares Management bought a 10 percent stake in the Miami Dolphins and related assets.
The Bills were valued by CNBC at $5.35 billion before the sale, while the Dolphins were valued at $8.1 billion.
The New York Giants confirmed last Thursday that they are testing the market for a “minority, non-controlling stake” in the team and have hired Moelis & Co. as their banker. The Mara and Tisch families each own 50 percent of the franchise, which was founded by Tim Mara in 1925.
Forbes’ most recent valuation of the Giants came in at $7.3 billion, while CNBC pegged it at $7.85 billion.
For a recent comparison, the newly minted Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles had ranged in value from $6.6 billion (Forbes) to $7 billion (CNBC). Then in December, the Eagles sold a combined 8 percent to two families in separate transactions valuing the franchise at $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively.
Philadelphia owner Jeffrey Lurie still controls 85 percent of the team under terms of the sales.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rangers place 3B Josh Jung (calf) on 10-day IL
Jul 21, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) follows through on his single against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images The American League West-leading Texas Rangers placed starting third baseman Josh Jung on the 10-day injured list on Saturday — retroactive to Wednesday — with a left calf strain.
In a corresponding move, the Rangers recalled infielder Josh Smith from Triple-A Round Rock before Saturday’s home game against the second-place Seattle Mariners.
Jung, 28, exited Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox after three innings with a left calf issue and has not played since. In 92 games this season, the 2023 All-Star is hitting .294 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. He is eligible to return to the active roster on Aug. 1.
Texas’ first-round pick (No. 8 overall) in the 2019 MLB Draft, Jung has hit .264 with 58 home runs and 196 RBIs in 417 games with the Rangers.
Smith, 28, is in his third stint with the Rangers this season, batting .230 with one run and eight RBIs in 40 games. The versatile five-year veteran has played five positions in 2026, mainly seeing time at second base (34 games/30 starts).
In 496 games with Texas since being acquired from the New York Yankees in 2021, Smith has hit .236 with 32 homers and 136 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Astros put RHP Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on 15-day IL
Jul 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (41) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images In the thick of the American League West and AL wild-card races, the Houston Astros placed right-handed starter Spencer Arrighetti on the 15-day injured list Saturday with nerve irritation in his foot.
Arrighetti, 26, left Friday’s start against the Chicago White Sox after one inning and 33 pitches due to the foot issue.
In a corresponding move, Houston recalled left-handed reliever Bryan King from Triple-A Sugar Land.
In 17 starts this season, Arrighetti is 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA, allowing six or more earned runs in three of his final four starts before the All-Star break. The 2021 sixth-round pick, who debuted with Houston in 2024, is 15-23 with a 4.66 ERA in 53 games (52 starts).
The 29-year-old King has made 42 relief appearances with the Astros in 2026, posting a 2-3 record with a 3.40 ERA. Across his three MLB seasons, all with Houston, he is 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA in 138 relief outings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Athletics activate star Nick Kurtz (thumb) from IL
![Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) takes first base as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) misses a catch during the first inning] at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.](https://dailyfacthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/29355296.jpg)
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) takes first base as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) misses a catch during the first inning] at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The Athletics activated All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday’s road game against the Minnesota Twins.
Kurtz sustained a right thumb capsule sprain and was placed on the IL on July 10 and the injury forced him to miss the All-Star Game. He had been elevated to American League starter when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) of the Toronto Blue Jays backed out.
Kurtz is batting second and serving as the designated hitter on Saturday.
Kurtz exited a 6-1 loss at Detroit on July 8 after 1 1/2 innings after he appeared to hurt the hand while trying to field a throw in the bottom of the first. The following day, he was the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a 4-1 loss to the Tigers.
Kurtz, 23, is batting .266 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 92 games. He was the unanimous 2025 AL Rookie of the Year with a .290 batting average, 36 home runs and 86 RBIs in just 117 games.
Third baseman Max Muncy was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. He was recalled by the A’s earlier this week and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in two games.
Muncy, 23, is batting .223 with five homers and 20 RBIs over 48 games. He has a .218 average in 111 big league games over the past two campaigns.
–Field Level Media
Rangers place 3B Josh Jung (calf) on 10-day IL
Astros put RHP Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on 15-day IL
