Pacific Media Group founder Paul Conway is in advanced talks to take a minority stake in a German soccer team, backed by baseball executives known for data-driven analysis.
A deal for 10% of FC Kaiserslautern could reportedly be announced soon. Conway is working with investors and multi-team co-owners Chien Lee and Krishen Sud, Tampa Bay Rays co-owner Randy Frankel, and former Rays executive Michael Kalt on the bid.
Known for targeting lower-division teams, often with a limited track record of success, Pacific Media Group co-owns a growing collection of European soccer teams.
- EFL Championship’s Barnsley FC (Oakland A’s executive Billy Beane also owns a stake)
- Ligue 2’s AS Nancy
- Esbjerg FB of Denmark’s First Division
- Belgian Pro League team KV Oostende
- Swiss Challenge League team FC Thun
- FC Den Bosch of the Netherlands’ Eerste Divisie
Local investors acquired 33% of Kaiserslautern in 2020 for around $12.1 million.
SPAC on Track
Conway is seeking to claim a chunk of a more prestigious team through a SPAC he formed with Kalt, Counter Press Acquisition Corp. The blank-check company is seeking a club with an enterprise value between $250 million and $500 million.
The SPAC’s management team includes Frankel, former Rays general manager and current Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and Angel City Football Club co-founder Julie Uhrman.
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