26North Leads $700M Equity Investment in NEP Group 

26North Partners, an alternatives platform, has made an equity investment valued at $700 million in NEP Group, a media services and technology solutions firm. 

The investment will go towards supporting NEP’s expansion, as the media firm aims to scale its efforts to meet rising demand for “premium live sporting events and spectator experiences,” 26North Partners said. 

The investment would also allow NEP to promote growth and further development across its global operations, product development, and partnerships. 

Carlyle Group, which is NEP’s existing sponsor, will remain NEP’s largest shareholder. Carlyle initially invested in the firm in June 2016.  

In addition to the investment, NEP has also completed a debt refinancing, which aims to boost its capital structure and reduce its debt levels. 

As part of the investment, NEP joins a group of companies under 26North’s private equity portfolio, including ArchKey Solutions, AVI-SPL and Onelife Fitness.  

“NEP represents the kind of business we seek to invest in: a global market leader with a stellar reputation for service delivery, technical expertise and innovation that keeps customers coming back for compelling storytelling around their most important events,” Mark Weinberg, head of private equity at 26North, said. 

26North Partners was founded in 2022, by Josh Harris, who is also the founder and managing general partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and the managing partner of the Washington Commanders. 

In August, 26North acquired AVI-SPL, an audio-visual and unified communications technologies platform.