February 11, 2026
Deutsche Bank Private Bank expands sports financing footprint
- The Private Bank has appointed Sowmya Kotha and Joshua Frank within its Lending unit to accelerate growth in sports financing, with a focus on US and Europe.
- Client demand continues to rise, with US clients up to three times more likely than European clients to hold sports-related assets, supported by strong valuations and long-term industry growth.
Deutsche Bank’s Private Bank announced an expansion of its sports financing footprint, with a focus on the US and Europe under Arjun Nagarkatti, Head of Private Bank US & Europe International. The Bank has appointed Sowmya Kotha in London and Joshua Frank in New York who report to Adam Russ, Head of Wealth Management and Business Lending to further expand its sports financing capabilities. In their expanded roles, they will work closely with Relationship Managers, Investment Managers and the broader Wealth Management Lending teams to enhance opportunity sourcing, strengthen execution and accelerate growth.
The Private Bank has supported clients in financing acquisitions of sports teams and releasing liquidity from long-term strategic holdings for more than a decade. Demand for specialist lending and advisory services continues to grow across its global client base fueled by the diverse sports attracting interest in various regions, including in fast‑growing markets such as the Middle East and Asia. As part of its Global Hausbank approach, teams from both the Private Bank and Investment Bank have a long history working together to provide dedicated services for this client group.
According to the Private Bank’s Chief Investment Office, the global sports sector offers compelling opportunities for growth and diversification for investors, with industry experts projecting the sector to nearly double in value by 2030 driven by digitalization, globalization, and new fan engagement models. Franchise values across the major North American leagues have grown rapidly, while in Europe, football remains the dominant sport and continues to expand. Insights from the Private Bank’s client base show that wealthy US clients are currently up to three times more likely to hold exposure to sports assets than wealthy clients across Europe.
“Sports has become a globally recognised investment category, and our clients are increasingly active participants”, said Claudio de Sanctis, Member of the Management Board and Head of the Private Bank. “We are Europe’s leading private bank in sports financing, recognised by clients and partners across the sector. Enhancing our capabilities and broadening our activities in this space ensures we continue to support clients where the most compelling strategic opportunities are emerging.”
“We see a trend where, for Europeans, investing in sports often remains more closely linked to emotional affinity and local club loyalty”, said Arjun Nagarkatti. “Meanwhile, US investors increasingly view sports as a dedicated asset class with structurally attractive characteristics. We want to be the preferred banking partner for clients interested in this asset class on both sides of the pond.”
Adam Russ said “Initially we focussed very much on the English Premier League and as our US franchise has expanded this has led to financing across all four major US sports leagues. To support the investment thesis and growing financing demand, we are thrilled to appoint Sowmya and Joshua to collectively expand our sports financing footprint.”
The bank will host its inaugural Sports Conference this year in September in London.
About Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank provides retail and private banking, corporate and transaction banking, lending, asset and wealth management products and services as well as focused investment banking to private individuals, small and medium-sized companies, corporations, governments and institutional investors. Deutsche Bank is the leading bank in Germany with strong European roots and a global network.
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