Bobby Sharma

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

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.

Early life and education

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

Career

National Basketball Association (NBA) (2002-11)

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)

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)

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

  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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c 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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