A Goldman M&A Banker Helped Bring the Olympics to Los Angeles | Odd Lots

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 19, 2026 at 08:08  |  31:30  |  Bloomberg Odd Lots
Speakers
Gene Sykes — Partner and Co-Head of M&A, Goldman Sachs

Summary

Gene Sykes, a Goldman Sachs M&A banker and Olympic official, joins Odd Lots live at Future Proof to discuss the LA 2028 Olympics, the record M&A environment, and AI's impact on dealmaking and media. He explains how LA's Olympics are privately funded with existing infrastructure, why the current M&A cycle is being driven by AI and technology, and how the AI buildout differs from the TMT bubble because it is funded by cash-rich big tech platforms. He also argues AI gives companies new reasons to value existing content catalogs and highlights early enterprise AI adoption.

  • Gene Sykes discusses LA 2028 Olympics funding, logistics, ticketing, media rights, and sponsorship.
  • Sykes says the M&A market is experiencing its biggest year ever, driven by AI and technology transformation.
  • He sees an enormous boom in semiconductor technology, equities, and M&A.
  • The AI infrastructure buildout is financed by big technology platforms with large free cash flow, unlike the VC-led TMT bubble.
  • AI-related demand is also affecting natural resources and power generation.
  • Enterprise AI adoption is still early, with only about 2% of companies reporting a positive EPS impact.
  • Sykes argues AI will make existing media content catalogs more valuable by finding more uses for them.
  • The conversation also covers Olympic media rights and sponsorship demand.
Ideas
Gene Sykes Partner and Co-Head of M&A, Goldman Sachs 15:34
AI buildout boosts power and resources
The AI infrastructure buildout is creating demand and activity in natural resources and power generation, not just technology, because those industries are also experiencing a surge tied to building the infrastructure for AI.
XLU GNR MED
Gene Sykes Partner and Co-Head of M&A, Goldman Sachs 15:46
AI drives semiconductor equity and M&A boom
The AI-driven technology cycle is creating an enormous boom in semiconductor technology, semiconductor equities, and semiconductor M&A as companies seek proprietary semiconductor technology, and this demand is broad and very strong.
SMH HIGH
Gene Sykes Partner and Co-Head of M&A, Goldman Sachs 19:55
Big tech funds durable AI buildout
The current AI infrastructure buildout is being financed by the most successful large technology platforms with hundreds of billions in free cash flow rather than primarily by venture capitalists, unlike the early TMT internet buildout, making the cycle more durable and favorable for big tech platforms.
XLK MED
Gene Sykes Partner and Co-Head of M&A, Goldman Sachs 26:33
AI increases value of content catalogs
AI is likely to make existing content catalogs and libraries more valuable because it will find more uses for seasoned content that already has familiarity and broad appreciation, creating more monetization opportunities for owners of media IP.
Media content catalogs HIGH
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This Bloomberg Odd Lots video, published September 19, 2026, features Gene Sykes discussing XLU, GNR, SMH, XLK, Media content catalogs. 4 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Gene Sykes  · Tickers: XLU, GNR, SMH, XLK, Media content catalogs