Thursday September 21, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!

Textor Closer to Lyon Takeover, Valuing French Club at $842M

  • The pending deal will be through Textor’s investment vehicle, Eagle Football Holdings.
  • A finalized pact would value Lyon at roughly $842 million.
Olympique Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette skips past Arsenal defender
Olympique Lyonnais
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

An American investor is one step closer to a takeover deal for a top French soccer club. 

Former FuboTV executive John Textor has given Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyonnais assurance that he will complete a deal for the club after being given a Dec. 7 deadline to reach a final agreement.

Olympique Lyonnais players walk out of tunnel before league game

Lyon Give U.S. Investor Deadline for $799M Deal

An American investor has been given a deadline to purchase Olympique Lyonnais.
December 5, 2022
  • The pending deal 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 company will submit a tender offer for Lyon’s remaining shares.
  • A finalized deal would value Lyon at roughly $842 million

Textor and Lyon were expected to complete a deal earlier this year but hit a series of snags. 

In September, the deal was delayed over financing, and a month later it was postponed again as the two parties failed to reach a deal despite “substantial progress” in initial negotiations.

Dedicated to Soccer 

A deal for Lyon would add to a growing portfolio of soccer-related investments for Textor. 

He is the majority owner of Brazilian club Botafogo and Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek, as well as the co-owner of the Premier League’s Crystal Palace. The club’s investors had attempted to block Textor’s deal for Lyon as they questioned personnel changes to EFH’s ownership group.

A completed acquisition of Lyon would give Textor’s soccer holdings a roughly $1 billion value.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A view of the Spurs club badge on the exterior of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Tottenham, Valued At $2.8B, Says It's Open To Stake Sale

The club's chairman says new minority investors could come on board.

England Women’s Team Resolves Pay Dispute After WWC Success

Agreement arrives a month after the end of the 2023 Women's World Cup

Adidas CEO Stands Behind Ye Nearly Year After Brand Cut Ties

Gulden's comments mark rare and surprising corporate move
Chelsea-FC

Chelsea Gets $500M For Stadium Projects, Club Acquisitions

The Premier League club is receiving crucial new investment.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Teams without secured venue situations could be left out of a potential XFL-USFL merger.

XFL-USFL Merger Could Drop Teams, Change League Name

Teams without secured venues could be cut from a XFL-USFL merger.
September 21, 2023

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations

TKO Makes First Big Move After WWE-UFC Merger

Investors drop TKO shares by 15% following SmackDown rights deal
September 15, 2023

Goldman Sachs Opens Door For Clients To Invest In Sports Teams

Firm initiative opens new opportunities for wealthiest clients
An Everton player displays shirt sponsor Stake.com, a gambling company, during a match.
September 15, 2023

Everton Acquisition By 777 Partners Extends U.S. Presence in Premier League

American entities now control half of Premier League clubs
September 12, 2023

TKO $21B Merger Closes With Aggressive Ambitions

Newly created company looks to accelerate existing growth trajectory
CAA
September 7, 2023

Pinault Completes Landmark $7B Acquisition Of CAA

Major talent agency now in control of French billionaire
PFL Bellator
exclusive
September 1, 2023

Professional Fighters League in Discussions to Acquire Bellator

The Professional Fighters League is seeking to purchase Bellator MMA.
CAA logo on side on building
August 31, 2023

French Billionaire Nears $7B Deal For Talent Agency CAA

Pinault showing confidence in agency business despite existential challenges
August 24, 2023

Everton Woes Continue After $190M Deal with MSP Sports Capital Collapses

Last-place Premier League club faces range of troubling issues