More Florida-Based Investors Are Buying European Soccer Clubs

Many of the U.S. investors buying up stakes in soccer teams worldwide are reportedly based in the same region: Florida.

The Sunshine State provides more than just a favorable climate. It’s become a fertile ground for investors to network with club executives — and each other — to increase their chances of purchasing ownership in teams thousands of miles away, per Bloomberg.

• John Textor’s investment company Eagle Football LLC bought a 40% stake in Crystal Palace for about $123 million, an 80% stake in RWD Molenbeek, and a 90% stake in Botafogo.
• Josh Wander, co-founder of 777 Partners, purchased full ownership of Serie A’s Genoa C.F.C. for $175 million. The group also has a 15% stake in Sevilla FC, valued at $436.5 million.
• Pacific Media Group, co-founded by Paul Conway and Chien Lee, has a robust roster, owning pieces of Barnsley FC, Esbjerg fB, AS Nancy, KV Oostende, and FC Thun.

Americans in Soccer

The Florida contingent is part of a larger group of U.S.-based investors pouring millions into teams abroad.

Other teams with American owners include Premier League clubs Manchester United (the Glazers), Arsenal (Kroenke Sports and Entertainment), and Liverpool (Fenway Sports Group).

Additional clubs with American owners or partial owners include Olympique de Marseille (Frank McCourt), Spezia (Robert Platek), Inter Milan (Oaktree Capital), and Atletico (Ares Management Corporation).