Alec Boccanfuso and Charles LaRosa are part of the investment team at Gabelli Funds, where they focus on identifying opportunities across the evolving sports, media, and entertainment landscape. Alec specializes in communications services and technology, with a focus on interactive entertainment and outdoor leisure, while Charles leads the firm’s ETF initiatives, overseeing strategy, product development, and distribution.
Together, they are helping shape one of the more innovative approaches to sports investing through the development of a Sports ETF—designed to give investors exposure to the broader sports ecosystem. Their work spans public markets, covering everything from teams and leagues to media rights, gaming, and live entertainment, offering a diversified way to participate in the growth of the industry.
In this episode, they join the conversation to break down how the sports ecosystem is defined from an investment perspective, why ETFs are becoming an attractive vehicle for accessing sports assets, and where they see the biggest opportunities emerging globally. They also share insights on market trends, the role of live entertainment, and how investors should think about long-term value creation in sports.
Podcast Chapters:
02:30 Defining the Sports Ecosystem
05:23 Investment Strategy and Portfolio Holdings
07:46 The Appeal of ETFs in Sports Investment
10:31 Market Trends and Future Opportunities
13:33 Global Perspective on Sports Assets
16:05 Challenges and Rebuttals in Sports Investment
18:43 Long-term Vision and Market Dynamics
21:42 The Role of Live Entertainment in Sports
24:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook