Please select your home edition
Edition

SailGP: Russell Coutts on the growth and value of the SailGP League

by Yahoo Finance 3 Jan 13:54 PST
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher sails by the grandstand, on Race Day 2 of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council © Christopher Pike for SailGP

Ahead of the start of Season 6 of SailGP getting underway in Perth on January 17, SailGP CEO, Russell Coutts talks with the Yahoo Finance channel on the growth, value and future direction of SailGP.

He says the League's plan is to grow to 20 teams (likely to sail in two qualifying fleets of 10 boats each) with the top four teams going forward to the Final.

SailGP - Season in numbers - Season 5 - December 11, 2025 - photo © SailGP
SailGP - Season in numbers - Season 5 - December 11, 2025 - photo © SailGP

Coutts says the value of a team now is USD$70million, with the potential value for each team being determined by their territory.

The focus of the League is not currently on growth of TV and broadcast revenues, but on audience growth. On top of the growth to 20 teams, the League will increase the number of venues (already at 14 for Season 6).


Related Articles

SailGP opens long awaited Pensacola facility
The first SailGP athletes and F50 catamaran will mark the next era of high-performance sailing. SailGP officially opened its first long-term training base on Monday at the state-of-the-art American Magic High Performance Center in Pensacola, Florida. Posted on 20 Oct Racing on the Edge 2026 Season Episode 5
The psychology behind SailGP success The latest episode explores the human side of elite sport, following Spain's Los Gallos and Canada's NorthStar as they take radically different approaches to building a winning team culture. Posted on 5 Oct SailGP: The $6million team?
Flying Roos could lift their earnings to just under USD $ 6 million after the final two events SailGP has reached new heights in prize money, with the Bonds Flying Roos, having won five of the 11 events and being clear Season 6 leaders, could lift their earnings to just under USD $ 6 million after the final two events in the UAE in November. Posted on 2 Oct Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix Overall
Los Gallos deny Australia to take victory Los Gallos took the win on Lake Geneva - booking their spot in the 2026 Grand Final in Abu Dhabi alongside the Bonds Flying Roos. Spain defeated the Australian crew, who became runners-up for the second consecutive event. Posted on 20 Sep Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix Day 1
Swiss Light Up Shifty Opening Day on Lake Geneva A light, shifty opening day on Lake Geneva saw five different winners in five fleet races. The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team gave the crowds a reason to cheer, finishing on the podium in two of three fleet races. Posted on 19 Sep SailGP Grand Final race tightens on Lake Geneva
As Martine Grael joins U.S. SailGP Team SailGP returns to Lake Geneva this weekend as teams prepare for one of the final tests of the 2026 Season. In a venue known for complex, changeable breeze, Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team driver Sébastien Schneiter is banking on a home advantage. Posted on 18 Sep "Unemployed" Grael to sail against old team
In the revolving door of SailGP crew rosters, more changes have occurred since Grael exited Brazil. In the revolving door of SailGP crew rosters, more changes have occurred since the exit on Monday, of Martine Grael, the foundation skipper of Mubadala Brazil. Posted on 18 Sep SailGP: Martine Grael exits Mubudala Brazil
SailGP's first female driver says she is "officially unemployed". But what next? Double Olympic Gold medalist Martine Grael's parting of ways with Mubadala Brazil has left the team with few options, other than to draw on their reserve bench, until the Transfer Window opens at the end of November. Posted on 13 Sep To Foil or Not to Foil?
Video analysis of the Spanish Sail Grand Prix Final With light winds on Sunday at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia there were tricky decisions to be made by the SailGP teams, with strategy proving key and the choice of when to try and foil, and when to stick in lowriding mode proving critical. Posted on 7 Sep SailGP: Black Foils' fightback not enough
NZ's Black Foils rallied on Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix, but time was against them New Zealand's Black Foils rallied on Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix, but a difficult opening day and a shortened Sunday programme left them with too much to do to reach the final. Posted on 7 Sep
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2026 Sail-World Sail-World USA and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy