Investment funds’ footprint across Spanish clubs and assets | OneFootball

FIFA and UEFA are wary of investment funds, many season-ticket holders accept them reluctantly and matchgoing fans remain sceptical. Yet across Spanish football these vehicles now shape ownership, broadcast income and stadium revenues.

AS reports that Apollo Sports Capital is now Atlético Madrid’s majority shareholder after buying 55% for 2,500 million euros, with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Enrique Cerezo remaining minority owners overseeing sporting operations.

At Valencia, Peter Lim and Meriton Holdings own more than 90.5% of the share capital. Meriton has invested almost 300 million since 2014, including 155 million in loans later capitalised.

Elche has belonged to Christian Bragarnik since 2019, his Score Club 2019 vehicle buying in for 20 million euros, rising to 30 million after promotion, and now holding 99% of shares.

Velocity Sports Partners, ALK Capital’s sports arm, took control of Espanyol in a deal valuing the club at 130 million euros. City Football Group and Girona Football Group each bought 44.3% of Girona in August 2017.

Grupo Pachuca bought 51% of Oviedo from Carlos Slim’s Carso in July 2022, Carso kept 20% without representation, the fee was said to be about 20 million, and later increases lifted Pachuca to just over 60%.

Sixth Street, via Legends, paid around 360 million euros for 30% of Santiago Bernabéu revenues for 20 years. Four years ago it also bought 25% of Barcelona’s television rights for 25 years for a little over 500 million. In 2021 CVC bought 10% of LaLiga TV rights for 50 years for 2,700 million.

Source: AS