Saturday, May 2, 2026

Crystal Palace, Lyon Backer Seeking $200M in Funding

  • Eagle Football Holdings has a multiclub portfolio including Crystal Palace.
  • The group is looking to raise new investment money.
Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais

One of the backers of a Premier League club is exploring a major capital raise.

Eagle Football Holdings, which has a 40% stake in Crystal Palace, is considering raising $200 million and taking the company public, according to Bloomberg. There’s no timeline for when either could happen.

Led by American businessman John Textor, Eagle Football Holdings has a multiclub portfolio that also includes French club Lyon, Brazilian side Botafogo, NWSL club OL Reign, and Belgian side RWD Molenbeek. 

Last month, Textor was reportedly looking to raise $300 million for Lyon in order to aid various club projects in France. Earlier this year, reports had surfaced that Textor was exploring taking Lyon public via a SPAC merger at a $1.2 billion valuation, but those plans haven’t materialized.

Around The World

Soccer clubs worldwide are embracing institutional investors as the costs of operating business in professional sports continue to increase.

Chelsea just raised $500 million from investment firm Ares Management, Liverpool just sold a $200 million stake to New York-based private equity firm Dynasty Equity, and Everton was seeking a capital raise of nearly $200 million before eventually being sold to Florida-based 777 Partners for nearly $700 million.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Premier League Title Race Tightens With Big Money on the Line

The Stan Kroenke-controlled club is now in a tight battle for the league title.
NFL: Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders

Top Sports Attorneys Command $10M Salaries Amid Poaching Frenzy

“The transfer portal is open for sports lawyers.”
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.

The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team

John Textor is at odds with Michele Kang and investment giant Ares.

Featured Today

Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
Sep 2, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center.

Ariel Investments Sees a $1B Women’s Sports Team in the Next 5 Years

Like small-cap stocks, women’s sports teams have room to run.
May 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark Calls Out Indiana Fever Graphic Made With AI Tools

The NHL’s Jets and Blues also use AI in their content.
May 1, 2026

Dundon Pours Money Into Pickleball As He Cuts Blazers Spending

NBA fans have nicknamed the Blazers owner “El Cheapo.”
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
exclusive
May 1, 2026

Mark Cuban Admits He Wanted to Buy Back Mavericks

“That’s just not the game anymore.”
Tim Cook
exclusive
April 30, 2026

Seahawks Sale Watch: Zuckerberg, Cook Among Rumored Bidders

A source close to Apple denied Tim Cook’s interest.
April 29, 2026

Titans’ Post-Vrabel Shake-Up Continues With Chad Brinker’s Exit

Chad Brinker stepped down as president of football operations.
April 28, 2026

Diego Pavia Gets Ravens Deal As Steelers Wait on Aaron Rodgers

The Ravens signed the undrafted free agent from Vanderbilt.