Thursday, June 4, 2026

U.S. Investors Keep Buying Into European Soccer

  • Investment firm Peak6 bought a minority stake of the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
  • U.S. money has been pouring into European soccer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers/Design: Alex Brooks

American money continues to pour into European soccer, as Chicago-based investment firm Peak6 has taken a stake in the Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Peak6 bought an undisclosed minority stake in Fosun Sports, a newly created holding company that operates the team and its associated brands. Fosun Sports is a subsidiary of Fosun International, a Chinese company that bought the Wolves in 2016 for $62.1 million.

Peak6 will look to ​​”accelerate the club’s growth in North America by providing capital, expertise, visibility, and activation opportunities for Wolves and Wolves Esports across the USA,” the team said Tuesday.

U.S. investors have grown more interested in European soccer clubs, sometimes replacing Chinese investors.

  • In May, Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital bought a 31% stake in Inter Milan from Hong Kong-based LionRock Capital in a $336 million deal.
  • Ares Management Corporation took on a 34% stake in La Liga’s Atletico in June.
  • Earlier this year, New York-based investor Robert Platek and Miami’s 777 Partners bought Italian clubs Spezia and Genoa, respectively, becoming the sixth and seventh American Serie A owners.

Peak6 also owns esports organization Evil Geniuses and formerly held stakes in Serie A team AS Roma, EFL Championship club AFC Bournemouth, and the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.

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

Europe’s Soccer Giants Keep Winning—and Are Cashing In

The Big Five leagues of European soccer are again led by financial giants.
Jun 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Botafogo midfielder Danilo (5) kicks the ball during the second half during a round of 16 match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field.

John Textor’s Soccer Empire at Risk

Textor’s stakes in France’s Lyon and Brazil’s Botafogo are up for grabs.
[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.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

Under the proposal, Big Ten would spin assets into a new entity.

Featured Today

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
May 8, 2026

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
John and Louis Antonelli
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.
Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.
February 3, 2026

Fund Backing Women’s Sports Raises $250M and Counting

Jason Wright oversees a fund that has secured $250 million.