Industry veteran Jefferson Dafydd introduces a new framework for understanding the emerging sports economy and the investment trends reshaping the future of sports.

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 8, 2026 / As franchise valuations in major professional sports continue to soar and investors seek opportunities beyond traditional leagues, a new book argues that the next era of sports growth may be emerging from a previously overlooked segment of the industry.

Rise of the Sports Middle Class, authored by sports business executive Jefferson Dafydd, explores the rise of what he calls the "Sports Middle Class" - a growing collection of sports properties positioned between grassroots participation and major league scale. These organizations include women's leagues, emerging sports, challenger leagues, youth ecosystems, and rapidly expanding sports businesses attracting increasing attention from sponsors, media companies, and institutional investors.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across the NBA, Major League Soccer, Olympic sports, and sports consulting, Dafydd examines how sports properties create long-term enterprise value through commercial infrastructure, fan development, media distribution, participation growth, and strategic investment.

"The sports industry has spent years focused on major league franchises," said Dafydd. "But some of the most interesting growth stories today are happening elsewhere. The Sports Middle Class represents a new generation of sports properties building sustainable businesses and attracting meaningful investment."

The book introduces the concept of Growth Sports as an emerging asset category and provides case studies, industry analysis, and strategic frameworks for executives, investors, sponsors, entrepreneurs, and sports leaders seeking to understand where the industry is heading next.

As private equity, institutional capital, and strategic investors increasingly explore opportunities beyond traditional major league ownership, Rise of the Sports Middle Class offers a timely perspective on the forces reshaping the sports landscape.

The book is scheduled for release in Summer 2026.

For media inquiries, speaking engagements, or advance review opportunities, contact kelly@teamadvisorygrp.com.

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SOURCE: Jefferson Dafydd