US-based multi-club ownership group acquire majority stake in Bristol City | OneFootball

(Rachel Le Poidevin / SPP)

Multi-club ownership group Mercury13 has acquired a majority stake in Women’s Super League 2 side Bristol City Women.

The group, based in the United States, has added Bristol City to its portfolio, which could expand further in the future.

Bristol City has been owned by the Lansdown family for more than a decade under the Bristol Sport umbrella.

Under the deal, which still needs to be approved by the league, Mercury13 will hold a majority stake, while the Lansdown Family will still hold a minority stake.

The size of the investment has not yet been revealed.

In a statement, Stephen Lansdown said: “The growth in women’s football is astounding. We have always said we would look at investment if it was the right partner at the right time, and I believe now is that time for City Women.

“Mercury13’s ambition for women’s football matches our own; their dedicated investment and focus on women’s football will accelerate Bristol City Women’s growth and I look forward to seeing what the club can achieve in the years to come.”

Who are new Bristol City Women owners Mercury13?

Mercury13, who have acquired a majority stake in Bristol City Women, is described as a ‘multi-club ownership group’ which aims to acquire women’s sides across Europe and South America.

A statement on Bristol City’s website said: “The vision of the group is to become the benchmark in the women’s club ownership industry by identifying and investing in the clubs of the next decade, while enhancing their commercial capabilities to engage a large but historically underserved audience of women’s football fans.”

It was founded in 2023 by Cogevina Reynal and Mario Malave. In the same year, they attempted to enter talks with Lewes FC, but ultimately walked away.

Bristol City is the second club to be acquired by the group, after they previously purchased Italian side Como last year.

Como were in the news earlier this summer after signing Switzerland international Alisha Lehmann.

Reynal told the Athletic: “It is a special and important time for Mercury 13, with this acquisition will start proving how we can add value to the clubs in our portfolio.

“We had a year rebuilding Como women, and it’s been a great pilot, and now we couldn’t be more excited to extend it into other countries, other leagues, other audiences, as well, and continue making this vision a reality.”

What’s next for Bristol City?

Bristol City Women, after selling a majority stake to Mercury13, will turn their efforts to getting promoted to the Women’s Super League.

After opening the season with a 5-1 loss to Birmingham City, they bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Bristol will hope to get their second win of the season when they travel to Southampton on Saturday.

The Bristol City team includes Sophie Ingle, who recently explained why she returned to the club from Chelsea.