We are GF Sports & Entertainment. Elevating Experiences.
GF Sports & Entertainment is a live events and sports media entertainment company created in July 2015 by New York-based private equity firm GF Capital.
We are defined by our passion for what we do and get deeply immersed in everything we are involved in. We are producers of memorable events and riveting competitions, originators of unique concepts and global content, but above all, we are creators of vital and enduring franchises. Seeing opportunities that others may overlook, we invest our talents, energies and resources in creating lasting memories for guests, unique opportunities for sponsors and superior returns for investors.
To learn more about GF Capital and the company’s current portfolio, visit www.GFCap.com
APPROACH
GF Sports & Entertainment acquires or invests in established sports, media and entertainment properties that are poised to scale. We provide long-term, flexible capital that maximizes our ability to build and grow lasting properties and brands that compound value over time. GF Sports & Entertainment also incubates new and emerging sport concepts utilizing its global expertise and network to help develop niche sports.
Our team has nearly three decades of experience in the media, live events and sports industries. We utilize our established network of operators, partners and key stakeholders in sports, media and live events to find unique and effective ways to elevate and expand businesses.
Target Industries:
- Sports, Leisure & Hospitality
- Media & Entertainment
Investment Criteria:
- Platforms with Scalable Enterprise Value
- Strong Competitive Position
- Significant Opportunity for Growth
- Area of GF Sports & Entertainment Expertise
Experience:
GF Capital formed Repucom in 2010, powered by an initial investment and merger of two leading companies in the space. Over the next six years Repucom became the global leader in sports sponsorship measurement. GF Capital further consolidated the market following the initial investment to expand into new markets and products, recruited a top-tier management team and developed a big data platform to serve clients in all aspects of their businesses, including sports, entertainment, government/tourism and branded content. GF Capital sold Repucom to The Nielsen Company in 2016.
GF Capital partnered with two of the existing three founders of Blue Man Group in 2010 to help grow the entertainment brand. Leveraging GF Capital’s vast operational, marketing and sales expertise, together they launched highly successful North American and World tours, developed two non-Blue Man Group character driven properties, and developed innovative marketing campaigns capitalizing on Blue Man Group IP. GF Capital sold its stake in Blue Man Group to Cirque du Soleil in 2017.
GF Sports & Entertainment:
Building new and established sports,
media and entertainment brands.
Our Brands:
The Dallas Open is the only indoor 500 level tournament on the ATP tour in the United States. In 2025, after much success at its location at SMU, the Dallas Open received the exciting opportunity to partner with the world renowned Dallas Cowboys and move the tournament’s location to the Ford Center at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The Dallas Open welcomes over 60,000 fans and is broadcast in over 100 countries.
In addition to this ATP tour stop, GF Sports and Entertainment (GFS&E) currently owns and operate the Ottawa Black Bears, a professional lacrosse team from the National Lacrosse League that plays out of the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, Canada. GF Sports and Entertainment is in a partnership with Senators Sports and Entertainment in bringing this dynamic product to the nation’s capital.
In spring of 2022 GFS&E acquired the IP to World Long Drive from NBC Universal & the GOLF Channel. The World Long Drive tour features the longest and fastest hitters in the golf world who compete for prize money and ranking points all culminating to crown a World Long Drive Champion.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DALLAS OPEN
LEARN MORE ABOUT WORLD LONG DRIVE
LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
Gary Fuhrman
Board Member
Erik Baker
Board Member
Hank Ratner
Board Member
Neil Shapiro
Board Member
Shawn Tilger
President and
Board Member
Gary Fuhrman
Erik Baker
Hank Ratner
Neil Shapiro
Shawn Tilger
Mr. Baker is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of GF Capital, and a member of the Private Equity Investment Committee, where he concentrates on private equity investments in the media and branded consumer product sectors. Mr. Baker is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Jonathan Adler, Whalerock Industries and GF Sports & Entertainment, and was formerly a board member of Airborne, Repucom, Trade Service, Blue Man Group and Melodeo.
Prior to co-founding GF Capital, Mr. Baker served as a Senior Vice President of Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder (“A&SB”) with Messrs. Fuhrman and Shapiro, where he worked in the Corporate Finance department as well as managing a number of A&SB corporate development activities. Prior to A&SB, Mr. Baker was an Analyst with Gleacher & Co., an M&A advisory boutique. Mr. Baker has been a featured speaker at several private equity conferences.
Mr. Baker graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the National Advisory Board of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at Penn.
Mr. Ratner spent nearly 30 years at Cablevision Systems Corporation (Cablevision) and its affiliated companies until the sale of Cablevision to Altice in 2016. During that time, Mr. Ratner served as Vice Chairman of Cablevision, President and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks (formerly Rainbow Media) where he helped lead each company through unprecedented periods of dynamic and enduring growth. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Ratner served as President and CEO of Independent Sports & Entertainment, overseeing its transition from Relatively Sports into an integrated sports, media, entertainment and management company representing more than 300 NBA, NFL and MLB athletes. Mr. Ratner began his career as a corporate lawyer with the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
Mr. Ratner was the founder of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the nonprofit that works closely with all areas of MSG and MSG Networks to positively impact the lives of children facing obstacles. He was Chairman from the Foundation’s inception in 2006 until 2014 and remains a Board Member.
Mr. Shapiro is a board member / manager of Bite Tech, EEM World, Jonathan Adler, Mansur Gavriel, Mark Cross and Oscar de la Renta (observation rights).
Mr. Tilger received an M.A. in Sports Management from Springfield College and a B.A. in Government and Law from Lafayette College. He was named to SportsBusiness Journal’s 2010 “Forty Under 40” list and while with the Flyers was recognized with numerous NHL and national media awards for sales, advertising and marketing achievements.
Gary Furman
Erik Baker
Mr. Baker is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of GF Capital, and a member of the Private Equity Investment Committee, where he concentrates on private equity investments in the media and branded consumer product sectors. Mr. Baker is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Jonathan Adler, Whalerock Industries and GF Sports & Entertainment, and was formerly a board member of Airborne, Repucom, Trade Service, Blue Man Group and Melodeo.
Prior to co-founding GF Capital, Mr. Baker served as a Senior Vice President of Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder (“A&SB”) with Messrs. Fuhrman and Shapiro, where he worked in the Corporate Finance department as well as managing a number of A&SB corporate development activities. Prior to A&SB, Mr. Baker was an Analyst with Gleacher & Co., an M&A advisory boutique. Mr. Baker has been a featured speaker at several private equity conferences.
Mr. Baker graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the National Advisory Board of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at Penn.
Hank Ratner
Mr. Ratner spent nearly 30 years at Cablevision Systems Corporation (Cablevision) and its affiliated companies until the sale of Cablevision to Altice in 2016. During that time, Mr. Ratner served as Vice Chairman of Cablevision, President and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks (formerly Rainbow Media) where he helped lead each company through unprecedented periods of dynamic and enduring growth. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Ratner served as President and CEO of Independent Sports & Entertainment, overseeing its transition from Relatively Sports into an integrated sports, media, entertainment and management company representing more than 300 NBA, NFL and MLB athletes. Mr. Ratner began his career as a corporate lawyer with the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
Mr. Ratner was the founder of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the nonprofit that works closely with all areas of MSG and MSG Networks to positively impact the lives of children facing obstacles. He was Chairman from the Foundation’s inception in 2006 until 2014 and remains a Board Member.
Neil Shapiro
Mr. Shapiro is a board member / manager of Bite Tech, EEM World, Jonathan Adler, Mansur Gavriel, Mark Cross and Oscar de la Renta (observation rights).
Shawn Tilger
Mr. Tilger received an M.A. in Sports Management from Springfield College and a B.A. in Government and Law from Lafayette College. He was named to SportsBusiness Journal’s 2010 “Forty Under 40” list and while with the Flyers was recognized with numerous NHL and national media awards for sales, advertising and marketing achievements.
Tyler Brenneman
Associate, GF Capital
Board Member,
Management
Peter Lebedevs
EVP of Tennis
Dallas Open
Justine Pletnick
VP, Marketing & Revenue Strategy
David Livingston
Chief Commercial Officer
World Long Drive
Bill Ward
VP, Operations
Zane Smith
VP, Business Operations
World Long Drive
David Wendrychowicz
VP, Finance
Jason Mackey
VP, Business Development
Dallas Open
NEWS
Dallas Open Achieves Record Attendance In 2025 Edition
The 2025 Dallas Open marked its most successful edition yet, setting new benchmarks for attendance, ticket sales,and sponsorship engagement. The tournament, owned by GF Sports & Entertainment and held for the first time at The Star in Frisco, Texas, saw a substantial increase in spectators and corporate partnerships, reinforcing its status as one of the premier tennis events in the United States.
How The Dallas Open Evolved Into A Must-Attend Event in North Texas
Dallasite and former tennis pro John Isner helped “christen the court” for the 2025 Dallas Open. (Courtesy)
After spending three years at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, the Dallas Open moved to the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco for its 2025 event, elevating the experience with more seating and VIP perks and even attracting local celebrities.
Denis Shapovalov’s Dallas Open win summed up in one shot – and what his tennis needs now
The serve swinging out wide, the forehand thumped into the open courtand the lunging backhand volley stabbed over the net. Down 15-30 while serving for the biggest title of his career against Casper Ruud in Dallas, Denis Shapovalov stuck the landing.
Dallas Open’s new home brings new sponsors, activation
Experimentation will be the key to success and growth for ATP Dallas Open leaders in the years to come as they look to the start of the tournament Feb. 1 at its newest home, The Star in Frisco, Texas.
After spending the last three years 20 miles south at Southern Methodist University, the new venue presents event organizers with a slew of options for general admission and premium seating along with 37 total sponsors and new activations within and outside the multi-purpose Ford Center.
New York Riptide to relocate to Ottawa and begin play at Canadian Tire Centre for the 2024-25 season; GF Sports and Entertainment to partner commercially with Senators Sports & Entertainment
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) in partnership with GF Sports and Entertainment and Senators Sports & Entertainment, today announced the launch of Ottawa-Gatineau’s newest professional sports franchise, the Ottawa Black Bears. The Black Bears will begin play at the start of the 2024-25 NLL season, with all home games to be played at Canadian Tire Centre, the home of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators.
Tommy’s Trophy! Paul defeats Giron to Take 2024 Dallas Open Finals!
A big goal for Team Tommy Paul entering the 2024 season was to win more titles. The American accomplished just that on Sunday.
Paul defeated countryman Marcos Giron 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 to lift the Dallas Open trophy. It is the 26-year-old’s second ATP Tour title and first since 2021 in Stockholm.
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