BRIGHT PATH SPORTS PARTNERS

A Private Equity & Advisory Firm Deploying Native American and Traditional Investment Capital into Professional Sports, Entertainment & Ancillary Opportunities

Bright Path Sports Partners is the first ever private equity & advisory firm exclusively dedicated to raising and deploying Native American capital into professional sports franchises, facilities and ancillary opportunities.

Bright Path brings lucrative professional sports and related opportunities to a historically underrepresented class (Native Americans), while meeting the continuing trend in professional sports to advance equity and inclusion from ownership to front office and beyond. Bright Path combines a diversity and social equity mission with more than 75 combined years of experience in sports law, finance, management and Native American investment.

  • Our private equity fund will partner with Native American tribes and traditional institutional and retail investors to make strategic investments in professional sports teams, which will provide liquidity and growth capital solutions to sports franchise owners. It will also make direct investments in sports-related real estate, hospitality, gaming and entertainment opportunities that meet the fund’s financial objectives.

  • Our advisory arm provides deal-specific, strategic advice and services in mergers & acquisitions, equity & debt raises, restructuring and recapitalizations to Native American tribes and traditional institutional and retail investors in professional sports, gaming, media, entertainment, real estate and hospitality.

  • PHILLIP A. CIANO, ESQ. | CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

    Phil is a Founding Partner of Ciano & Goldwasser, LLP – a national sports law/deal boutique representing private and public companies, global talent agencies and diversified investment funds. Clients include public and closely held companies and international sports agencies/certified agents in professional baseball, basketball and football. Phil is responsible for Bright Path’s overall leadership as well as origination of professional sports and ancillary investment opportunities. He is an Ohio licensed sports agent, an active member of the Sports Lawyers Association, and sits on multiple boards including the board of the American Cancer Society.

    JAMES B. LAPORTE (OTTAWA) | CO-FOUNDER & HEAD OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

    Jim has deep business and management experience inside and outside Native America. His investment experience includes entertainment, energy, construction and startup ventures. Jim managed more than 1,000 employees while overseeing the expansion of multiple Native American gaming and entertainment businesses. He sits on various boards, including the economic development arm of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan. Jim oversees Bright Path’s investor relations group. He also leads the fund’s community outreach initiatives.

    JOHN R. ZAHNOW JR. (JAKE) | CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Jake has decades of experience in corporate development and management of start-ups and fortune 500 companies in automotive, building materials, retail and distribution. Jake brings deep experience in operations, corporate finance, family office management, private equity and mergers & acquisitions. Jake is primarily responsible for origination and execution and will serve as Bright Path’s Chief Financial Officer.