CME Group partners with FutureSports to launch first futures based on sports indexes
CME Group has partnered with FutureSports to introduce the world’s first futures and options contracts based on FutureSports Performance Indexes (FSPI). These cash-settled instruments aim to provide new hedging tools for stakeholders in the global $650 billion sports industry, including stadium operators, sponsors, insurers, apparel manufacturers, and broadcasters. The contracts are built using transparent methodologies aligned with IOSCO principles and will be listed on CME Group’s platforms once regulatory approvals are secured. CME Group CEO Terry Duffy emphasized that these products bring risk management discipline to the sports sector through price discovery and exchange-traded transparency. FutureSports co-founder Leigh Taylforth noted strong demand for hedging instruments across a wide range of participants, while Wedbush Securities’ Bob Fitzimmons highlighted how this innovation opens up global capital markets access to an industry previously limited in financial tradability. FutureSports plans to announce exclusive partnerships with major professional sports leagues that will convert team and athlete statistics into benchmark indexes. The first FSPI futures are expected to begin trading this summer.
Tickers: $CME
Topics: derivatives hedging sports_index_finance trading_opportunities