• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

Lyon Soccer Deal Bolstered By Addition of Raine Ventures

  • The acquisition will be through John Textor’s investment vehicle, Eagle Football Holdings.
  • The takeover deal is expected to be finalized on Dec. 19. and will value Lyon at $842 million.
French team Olympique Lyonnais celebrate after scoring goal
OL

An American investor will have help securing a takeover deal for a top French soccer club.

Former FuboTV executive John Textor has agreed to acquire Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyonnais with Gordon Rubenstein, the managing partner of Raine Ventures — The Raine Group’s VC arm. 

“I think we have an incredibly strong group behind the effort, which is focused on creating value for the community,” Rubenstein told Bloomberg.

  • The acquisition will be through Textor’s investment vehicle, Eagle Football Holdings.
  • EFH will pay $344.2 million for 39.2 million shares and 789,824 subordinated bonds.
  • The deal is expected to be finalized on Dec. 19. and will value Lyon at $842 million.  

Earlier this week, Textor gave Lyon assurances that he will complete a deal for the club. He was given a Dec. 7 deadline to reach an agreement after a series of snags delayed the sale process.

Genstar Capital chairman Jean-Pierre Conte also joined Lyon’s pending new ownership group. Conte is part of a consortium of minority investors that plan to allocate roughly $105 million toward the acquisition.

Another New Owner

Lyon would join a growing list of European soccer clubs with American owners, most recently the Premier League’s AFC Bournemouth

On Tuesday, Vegas Golden Knights owner Billy Foley and a consortium of investors finalized their acquisition of Bournemouth in a deal worth $150.7 million.

AFC Bournemouth celebrate after scoring goal

Golden Knights Owner Buys Premier League Team

An NHL team owner has completed the purchase of a soccer club.
December 13, 2022

The deal puts half of the Premier League’s 20 clubs under American ownership.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Stephen Curry celebrates after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Golf’s Hottest Celebrity Tournament Keeps Getting More Exclusive

The American Century Championship tees off at Lake Tahoe on Friday.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.

Featured Today

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.