December 7 – Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) has sold a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain to US-based private investment firm Arctos Partners, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The Parisian club said that QSI will continue to have full control of all decisions at the club, while Arctos will not influence any on-field matters.
Arctos will support the club’s “operations and real estate initiatives” as well as PSG’s women’s team, said a club statement.
It’s not Arctos first step in football. The investment firm is also an investor in Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group and acquired a £29.2 million stake in Italian club Atalanta last year.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “As a club and institution, we are entering the next exciting phase of PSG’s growth and development, both on and off the pitch which is based on long-term ambitions and attaining excellence in everything we do. Arctos is a fantastic partner to help us achieve our goals, bringing strategic expertise, ideas and innovation to our business, while providing investment and new relationships to support our footballing and sporting goals.”
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is understood that PSG’s valuation will benefit as a consequence of Arctos’ investment. At least, that is how PSG views the transaction.
The Financial Times reports that Arctos Partners will acquire a 12.5% stake which would value PSG at €4 billion. On that valuation Arctos are playing €500 million for their minority position. In 2011, QSI paid €70 million to acquire the club.
Doc O’Connor, co-founder and managing partner of Arctos Partners, said: “Our investment in the club fully aligns with our strategy of partnering with best in class teams across North America and Europe. We are excited to be joining the PSG family and look forward to working together with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to maximise the club’s potential providing strategic expertise and investment to drive the next phase of development, growth and success of this great institution.”
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