Nikos Stathopoulos, the head of BC Partners, sees significant investment opportunities in Europe and warns of the potential impact of Donald Trump's impending tariffs on a wide range of investments.

"There is a lot to be done in Europe, which is not going as fast as the US. It's a complex issue as the landscape is fragmented. The opportunities are many; we have national champions, European champions and companies that are very active," he stressed to Bloomberg.

Trump's tariffs

"The opportunities are there, as long as people can trace the European landscape, which is pluralistic," the private equity chief pointed out, estimating that potential Trump tariffs are currently "the biggest threat to investors and European citizens."

He pointed out that at BC Partners, "we are not so exposed to the industries that are touched by Donald Trump's tariffs," as "fortunately, we have a large dispersion as investors." However, he warned that there should be preparation for the US tariff policy.

According to the BC Partners CEO, the biggest priority for the private equity sector is successful exits from companies they have invested in. "Our investors are demanding liquidity; the priority for private equity is now success in the exit strategy," he said.

Stathopoulos stressed that Europe will have to address competitiveness issues, adding that it will have to manoeuvre because there are "serious bureaucratic issues for which Europe has been criticised, possibly rightly, by the US.".

EuroLeague

Referring to discussions with Euroleague regarding the purchase of a minority stake by BC Partners, he said that "there is our knowledge and experience in the media, the fact that we have been involved in the sports industry for a long time now, which is becoming a $1 trillion industry.".

As for whether they are close to a final deal, he replied that it is not just up to us because every event is complex and many teams are involved. "I hope we can successfully reach the finish line, but it is not solely up to us," he concluded.