Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have secured major backing for their SailGP outfit, the Black Foils, with MSP Sports Capital taking a majority stake in the New Zealand team. The investment marks MSP's first entry into SailGP, adding the Black Foils to a portfolio that includes or has included McLaren Racing, Everton FC and the X Games League. The firm was co-founded by Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi, two investor-operators whose collective experience spans the MLB, NBA, NFL, Formula 1 and European football.
Both Burling and Tuke will remain in place as Co-CEOs, continuing to run the team day to day, on the water and off it.
"Today's an incredibly important milestone for the Black Foils, and the start of an exciting new chapter for us in SailGP as we represent New Zealand on the world stage," Burling said. "MSP are world-class partners, with an understanding of elite sport and what it takes to build something that lasts."
Tuke said he and Burling had set out from the beginning to build the Black Foils into a world-class team and sporting brand. "We are thrilled to partner with MSP and work towards that goal and continue to grow the team. We wouldn't be at this point without the support and effort of a big group of people, and we also want to acknowledge them today."
MSP Chairman Jahm Najafi described SailGP as one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world and named the New Zealand team as one of its flagship franchises. MSP CEO Jeff Moorad was equally direct about the ambition: win championships, represent New Zealand at the highest level, and build on the country's sailing culture.
The transaction completes a landmark shift in how SailGP operates. With all 13 teams in the league now held by strategic third-party owners, the competition has formally moved away from the centrally-owned model it launched under, in favour of private team ownership. The league was founded by Oracle's Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts.
The Black Foils deal follows a run of ownership changes that have reshaped the league across the 2026 season. Quantum Pacific purchased the Spain SailGP Team, Rockwool Racing was sold to Orlando Magic owner Doug DeVos, and last year Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds backed the takeover of the Australian team, the Bonds Flying Roos.
SailGP Co-Founder and CEO Sir Russell Coutts described the sale as a significant milestone for the league. "The goal of SailGP has always been to build something that world-class investors and sports operators would want to own. To have MSP Sports Capital, led by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, join our ownership group is further validation of that vision."
The Black Foils return to racing this weekend at the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax, Canada.
