Private Equity Invades College Sports, Fed Rate Cuts, and Critical Year-End Tax Moves

In this timely end-of-year episode, CIO Jake Borbidge and Head of Financial Planning Robert Palmer discuss the landmark deal where a private equity firm invested $500 million for a significant non-controlling interest in the University of Utah athletics, marking the first time a public university has brought in PE capital for its sports program. They break down the rapid rise of sports as an investable asset class, examine liquidity realities, and explore the potential conflicts that arise when public institutions mix with profit-driven investors.

The conversation then turns to current markets, including the Fed's latest rate cut, mixed reactions across indexes, pressure on AI leaders such as Oracle, rotation into smaller caps, and signs that investor risk aversion is quietly increasing.

Finally, with only weeks left in 2025, Jake and Robert share urgent year-end planning actions, including:

• Locking in the full charitable deductions at 37 cents on the dollar before the benefit shrinks in 2026
• Tax-loss harvesting opportunities (and why crypto still has no wash-sale rule)
• Maximizing QBI, Section 179 expensing, and bonus depreciation while they remain permanent
• Latest private credit update: rising PIK usage, non-accrual loans, and early stress in cyclical sectors

Whether you’re fascinated by the monetization of college football or need to button up your 2025 tax strategy, this episode has you covered.

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