Patrick Mahomes (Image via Instagram)
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback joined an investor group backing Alpine’s Formula 1 team in 2023, entering a sport that has attracted growing interest from celebrities, athletes and major investors. Since that deal, Alpine’s estimated value has climbed from around $900 million to approximately $2.6 billion, marking a remarkable increase of nearly 189%. The rise highlights Formula 1’s growing commercial appeal and puts Mahomes’ investment among the more interesting chapters of his expanding business portfolio. Mahomes entered Formula 1 ownership in October 2023 alongside Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce. The group had acquired a 24% stake in Alpine Racing Ltd for €200 million earlier that year. Renault Group, Alpine’s parent company, announced the transaction in June 2023 and said the investment valued the racing business at approximately $900 million. Formula 1 has expanded its reach through new races, streaming coverage and popular entertainment content. The €200 million figure represents the consortium’s purchase of the entire 24% stake, not Mahomes’ individual contribution. The biggest financial development is the rise in Alpine’s estimated value since the 2023 investment. At the time of the original deal, Alpine Racing Ltd was valued at roughly $900 million. By August 2026, an estimate cited by F1Salaries placed the team’s value at $2.6 billion, putting it among the more valuable operations on the Formula 1 grid. Valuation measure Reported estimate Alpine’s value in 2023 $900 million Estimated value in 2026 $2.6 billion Increase in estimated value $1.7 billion Percentage increase Approximately 189% These figures indicate that Alpine’s estimated value has nearly tripled in about three years. The increase is approximately $1.7 billion, or nearly 189% above the original valuation. The $2.6 billion figure is also an industry estimate, not a confirmed sale price. Still, the change illustrates how investors have reassessed the value of Formula 1 teams as the sport’s commercial reach expands. Formula 1 offers investors access to a global audience, international sponsorships, hospitality revenue and valuable media partnerships. The team has faced sporting challenges, including a difficult 2025 season, when it finished last in the constructors’ championship.
Races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas have helped increase its visibility among American audiences, while digital content has introduced the sport to fans who might not regularly watch traditional motorsport. Patrick Mahomes has built a reputation for winning on the football field, but his business interests are taking him into another high-profile arena. Both joined an investor group led by Otro Capital, which had partnered with RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, the firm associated with actor Ryan Reynolds. The deal closed in December. The investment brought together people from different corners of sport and entertainment. Alongside Mahomes and Kelce, the wider group included golfer Rory McIlroy, boxer Anthony Joshua and footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Juan Mata. For Mahomes, the opportunity offered a route into a global sport with a growing audience in the United States. Its international calendar also gives investors opportunities to connect with fans and commercial partners across multiple markets. The move fits a broader pattern among professional athletes. Instead of relying solely on playing contracts and endorsement deals, some are investing in sports teams and businesses that could gain value over time. However, Mahomes’ personal investment amount has not been publicly disclosed. The difference is substantial. That growth does not mean Alpine has generated an equivalent amount in cash or profit. A team valuation estimates what the business could be worth in a transaction. It differs from annual revenue, operating profit and the money available to its owners. A completed transaction would provide stronger evidence of what buyers are willing to pay. Teams can also benefit when brands seek to connect with fans through a sport that combines technology, competition and entertainment. The United States has become an important market for the championship. That wider appeal can make teams more attractive to sponsors and investors. However, a larger audience does not automatically guarantee higher profits. Racing teams face major operating costs, and results on the track can influence sponsorship opportunities, prize money and public interest. Alpine’s position makes its valuation particularly interesting. Its estimated value has nevertheless continued to attract attention from potential investors.
Investors may also consider future commercial opportunities, the strength of the Formula 1 business model and the possibility of improving a team’s performance. The quarterback has already established himself as one of the NFL’s biggest stars, and his involvement in Formula 1 gives him exposure to another major sports business. In 2026, reports described discussions over a possible sale of its 24% holding, although negotiations with Mercedes did not produce an agreement. Alpine’s estimated rise from $900 million to $2.6 billion is a striking example of the money flowing into Formula 1.
Those details have not been publicly confirmed, so calculating Mahomes’ personal profit from the team’s rising value would be speculative. This contrast shows why team values do not always move in step with race results. For Alpine, the challenge is to turn its commercial potential into stronger results and a more competitive operation. If the team can improve on the track while attracting new sponsors, it could strengthen the case behind its valuation. Alpine’s valuation growth puts Mahomes’ investment in a different light. The potential financial benefit depends on the size of his individual holding, the terms of the investment and whether the group eventually sells its stake. The wider investor group has also attracted interest from potential buyers. That process underlines the difference between a rising estimated value and money an investor can actually realise. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines For Mahomes, the investment represents a long-term business opportunity rather than an extension of his NFL career. His playing success gives him a public profile, but the value of an investment ultimately depends on commercial performance, ownership terms and the price a buyer is willing to pay. Whether that growth ultimately delivers a substantial return for Mahomes remains uncertain. What is clear is that his interests now extend well beyond American football, into a global sport where team ownership has become an increasingly attractive business proposition. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.