New York Real Estate Journal

Transwestern launches Sports & Entertainment Advisory group

March 14, 2023 - Brokerage

Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) announces the launch of its national Sports & Entertainment (“S&E”) advisory group, which will identify and execute the growing number of real estate opportunities in these evolving and dynamic sectors. Tim Katt, a venture capital and private equity expert with in-depth experience across sports, entertainment and technology, will direct the group as managing director, Sports & Entertainment, located in Transwestern’s New York City office.

“Over the past decade, the sports and entertainment industry has experienced explosive growth. Sports franchise values have skyrocketed, introducing institutional capital looking to unlock additional value through real estate,” said Katt. “Our group will advise sports and entertainment properties, investors and other entities as they respond to this need by expanding or developing new locations for live entertainment, experiential retail and business operations.” 

Transwestern’s Sports & Entertainment advisory group will focus on three areas – acquisition of property and land, deal sourcing for high-net-worth individuals, including athletes and team owners, and tenant advisory and brokerage services for sports teams, leagues and related media groups.

“We are energized by Tim’s vision and the experience he will bring to Transwestern in this extremely fast-paced, dynamic market,” said Bruce Ford, Transwestern’s East Region president. “This group will add to our strong collaborative environment by partnering with our current commercial real estate services teams to capitalize on new opportunities to better service our current and new clients.”

The seeds of the Sports & Entertainment advisory group were planted when Transwestern partnered with Katt on the Overtime Elite (OTE) arena and practice facility in Atlanta. Transwestern’s Larry Serota, Clark Dean and Clark Seydel provided market exploration, site selection and consulting services for the 103,000 s/f facility. Notably, the team delivered the project less than eight months after Atlanta was selected as the home for the new league’s operations.

Katt is the president and managing director of TACK Ventures and Advising, which he will continue to manage in addition to his work at Transwestern. Through TACK, his work with OTE included securing $80 million in growth capital, coordinating the arena construction project and launching the new, disruptive professional sports league. Prior to founding TACK, he was the managing director of the Global Sports Venture Studio with R/GA Ventures and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Katt earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin University and served as a member of the school’s President’s Steering Committee. He is a guest professor at the RocNation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment.