064 Brett Johnson on Building the Future of Sports Ownership

Today’s guest is Brett Johnson, CEO of Benevolent Capital and one of the leading voices behind sports as an institutional asset class.Benevolent Capital, founded in 2005, operates as a family office investing across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and global sports—backing companies like Oura, Athletic Brewing, and multiple football clubs. Brett’s portfolio spans teams including Ipswich Town, Phoenix Rising, and Rhode Island FC.We dive into how Rhode Island FC launched its inaugural USL Championship season in 2024, anchored by a new 10,500-seat stadium and a broader mixed-use development in Pawtucket designed to drive long-term community and economic impact.This conversation breaks down why sports is evolving into a real estate, data, and infrastructure play—and what it actually takes to build in this space for the long term.