Actress Issa Rae And Alabama Linebacker Dallas Turner Among Investors Acquiring Team USA in Sailing League

By Grace Womack

Issa Rae and Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner have joined a diverse group of investors, including founding Uber engineer Ryan McKillen and professional sailor Mike Buckley, to acquire the United States SailGP Team in Larry Ellison’s global sailing league. The group, featuring athletes such as Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, is led by Avenue Sports Fund, spearheaded by former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry. Other notable investors include NFL players Roquan Smith and Kayvon Thibodeaux, as well as DJ and producer Gryffin.

Dallas Turner, utilizing some of his name, image, and likeness income, expressed excitement about joining this groundbreaking ownership group, emphasizing its unprecedented diversity in the history of the sport. Buckley, who will serve as the team CEO, envisions this move as a significant step towards bringing sailing into the mainstream, aligning with the modern American dream.

The acquisition, in the works for several months, was officially announced, marking a pivotal moment for the team. Former Team USA CEO and skipper Jimmy Spithill revealed his departure from the squad, intending to launch a new Italian team for Season 5 following the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup in mid-October 2024. Seven-time world champion Taylor Canfield assumes the role of skipper, with Team USA currently ranking third in the 10-team league.

SailGP, co-founded by Ellison and Russell Coutts, has aimed to establish commercial sustainability through its regular schedule of TV-friendly regattas worldwide. The league attracts top sailors globally, with many participating in the America’s Cup and Olympics. In a recent development, SailGP increased the prize money for the championship podium race from $1 million to $2 million, offering a total of $7 million in prize money for the season.

Turner, facing No. 1 Georgia in the SEC championship game, represents a syndicate of athletes assembled by LifeLine Investment Group. Despite his initial surprise, Turner views this opportunity positively, contributing to the historic acquisition. Rae, known for her role in the movie “Barbie,” was drawn to SailGP’s global competitiveness and fan experience, expressing interest in the venture.

The new ownership group sees this acquisition as the most significant in SailGP history, although the valuation remains undisclosed. The move aligns with Ellison’s initial vision of transitioning the league to a franchise ownership model, moving away from his initial financial support.

Turner, ranked 57th in on3.com’s Top 100 NIL valuation at $736,000, acknowledged being relatively new to SailGP but has been actively researching and learning about the sport since receiving the offer. Rae, sharing her enthusiasm for boat experiences, hinted at future SailGP-sponsored yacht parties. The team confirmed continued support from sponsors Red Bull, T-Mobile for Business, and Zhik.