Wikipedia

Bobby Sharma

Bobby Sharma (born in 1973) is an Indian-American investor. He is a former executive and attorney, including at the National Basketball Association where he helped build the NBA G-league, and is currently the founder and managing partner of private equity firm Bluestone Equity Partners.

Bobby Sharma
Photo of Bobby Sharma
Born1973 (age 52–53)
Dayton, Ohio
Education
Occupations

Early life and education

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Sharma graduated from Duke University with a bachelor's degree and earned a juris doctor (JD) degree from Duke Law School.[1][2]

Career

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National Basketball Association (NBA) (2002-11)

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Sharma worked as an executive and attorney for the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2002 to 2011.[3][4] While there, he helped lead the creation of the NBA’s first minor league, initially called the NBA Development League (or D-League), now known as the G-League. He worked with commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver throughout his tenure at the NBA and oversaw the G-League growing from 6 regional teams in the southeast, to 16 teams across the United States.[3]

IMG & Investment (2011-23)

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In 2011, Sharma took on an executive role with IMG Worldwide, as senior vice president, global head of basketball & strategic initiatives.[5][6][4] He was tasked with building professional sports leagues in international markets, starting with a basketball league in India after IMG acquired commercial rights to the sport in the country for 30 years. Sharma considered India as the "largest untapped basketball market in the world.[7][8][9] At IMG Sharma worked alongside famed investor Ted Forstmann, building sports leagues in other international markets including Brazil, Nigeria and China, with sports such as basketball, soccer, and cricket.[3][10][11]

Bluestone Equity Partners (2023-present)

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In 2023, Sharma founded Bluestone Equity Partners, a private equity firm.[12][13] The New York City-based firm focuses on deals in the sports, media & entertainment industry.[14][10] Sharma built the firm based on experience and relationships in both the sports and finance industries, including hiring investors from firms such as Blackstone and Apollo Global.[3][10]

Bluestone bought a $30 million stake in PMY Group, which designs and manages digital scoreboards, lighting, and acoustics at sports and entertainment venues.[15] In 2024, the company invested in Volo Sports[16] and RWS Global.[17]

References

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  1. ↑ "Bobby Sharma". Bluestone. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  2. ↑ "Bobby Sharma '98 | Duke University School of Law". law.duke.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Armental, Maria (2023-02-08). "WSJ News Exclusive | Former NBA Executive Bobby Sharma Launches Private-Equity Firm". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  4. 1 2 "Bobby Sharma". Crain's New York Business. 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  5. ↑ Dorbian, Iris (2025-03-26). "Harmony Helper marks fifth add-on for Bluestone-backed RWS Global". PE Hub. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  6. ↑ Levinson, Mason (January 13, 2014). "Rodman's North Korea Trips Signal Basketball Push by Leader Kim". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Thirtysomething? Lee's Number Is Up". Wall Street Journal. 2010-12-14. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  8. ↑ Long, Michael (2010-12-16). "Bobby Sharma joins IMG's basketball division". SportsPro. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  9. ↑ Thamel, Pete (May 8, 2013). "Wanted: 1.2 billion basketball fans". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Moses, Lucia. "How a new $300 million private equity fund plans to invest and compete in sports media, 'the most valuable last commodity standing'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  11. ↑ Coffey, Brendan (2023-02-08). "Bobby Sharma Rolls Out $300 Million Bluestone Sports Fund". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  12. ↑ Beltran, Luisa. "Leonardo DiCaprio–backed AI startup Qloo clinches $20 million investment from Bluestone Equity Partners". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  13. ↑ Huston, Caitlin (2023-02-08). "Former IMG Exec Launches Sports, Media, Entertainment Private Equity Firm". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  14. ↑ "The business of sport". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Lauren. "WSJ News Exclusive | Sports-Focused Private-Equity Firm to Invest in PMY Group". WSJ. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  16. ↑ Hytha, Michael (November 13, 2024). "Sports League Platform Volo to Grow Via M&A With Bluestone Stake". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  17. ↑ Taylor, Isaac (2023-09-17). "WSJ News Exclusive | Bluestone Equity Invests Some $20 Million in First Entertainment Deal". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
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