Private Equity and Sports: The MVP Playbook

If the world of franchising were a sport, what type of sport would it be? The rough and tumble world of wrestling? The modern NFL with its focus on dynamic offensive schemes and run-pass options? Or perhaps it would be a game of finesse more likely to be seen on the ice during the Winter Olympics.

To Dale Murphy, the newest managing director at Atlanta-based private-equity firm Georgia Oak Partners, there’s no question: Franchising — and business at large — can be best analyzed through the metaphorical lens of Major League Baseball.

“I see my role is not only helping [to] establish relationships with those companies we’re working with within Georgia Oak Partners, but also sharing some of my leadership things that I've learned — culture, resilience, teamwork and those things which I feel I can talk to really well and translate really well in the business world from what I’ve learned in my career in baseball,” Murphy said.

Murphy, seven-time National League All-Star for the Atlanta Braves and the youngest MLB player in history to win two MVPs back to back, is now 67, a small-business owner and motivational speaker in addition to his new role at Georgia Oak Partners.

Just as baseball is woven into the fabric of American culture, so too is the entrepreneurial drive that propels franchisors and franchisees toward excellence. Murphy stands at the intersection of these two worlds.

He spoke with 1851 Franchise Founder and CEO Nick Powills for an exclusive interview, along with Georgia Oak Partners Director of Growth Stacy Sutton.

Georgia Oak Partners, with its deep-rooted expertise in education, youth coaching, health, wellness, beauty and home services, focuses on the power of legacy in the business realm. The firm's operating partners, who bring over 32 years of combined experience in the multi-unit and franchising space, are dedicated to helping owners surmount growth challenges and partnering with management teams to forge enduring legacies.

True success, both Murphy and Sutton said, comes from the right actions, and not just profitable outcomes.

The franchise industry, often characterized by its rapid growth and potential for substantial returns, is not immune to the allure of quick wins. Yet, Georgia Oak Partners champions a different approach — one that emphasizes culture, people and sustainable growth. 

"Our mission at Georgia Oak is to facilitate — not just to take the company, sell it, and turn a profit … we want to help that legacy remain in place," Murphy said.

Dale Murphy's transition from a celebrated athlete to a pivotal figure in private equity offers a blueprint for franchise leaders. The challenges and triumphs of his baseball career, from cleanly navigating the pitfalls of the steroid era to making difficult decisions that would define his legacy, are lessons in leadership, perseverance and ethical conduct. As Murphy integrates these lessons into his work with Georgia Oak Partners, he aims to become a mentor to entrepreneurs, guiding them through the complexities of the franchise landscape.

As franchisors and franchisees look to navigate the intricacies of the market, they find in Georgia Oak Partners a partner poised to help them swing for the fences — not by cutting corners, but by embracing the values that have long defined champions on and off the field. With Dale Murphy and the rest of the firm’s leadership team at the helm, the franchise industry has a guiding star, one that illuminates the importance of legacy, culture, and ethical success in the championship business of franchising.

"When all is said and done, your legacy is all you've got," Murphy said, drawing parallels between his experiences on the field and the ethos of his new company. "It's how you do things that's the bottom line; that's what you'll be remembered for.”

Watch the whole video above and learn more about how 1851 Franchise can help your franchise here.