April 15 – Brentford have taken a significant step in reviving their multi-club ownership strategy with the acquisition of Spanish third-tier side Merida AD by their newly formed holding company, Best Intentions Actions.
The move comes just weeks after Brentford formally restructured their ownership model, with long-time owner Matthew Benham transferring his shares into the new entity in a bid to modernise the club’s structure and attract strategic investment.
Merida, currently fifth in Group 2 of Spain’s Primera Federacion, becomes the first club under the Best Intentions umbrella. Although the deal was not made directly through Brentford or Benham himself, the acquisition brings the Premier League club back into the multi-club ownership model it stepped away from following the 2023 sale of Danish side FC Midtjylland. The Spanish outfit will now be integrated into the same data-driven performance and recruitment network that has powered Brentford’s rise from the Championship to Premier League stability.
Sources close to the club say will have full access to Brentford’s renowned analytics systems, giving the LaLiga hopefuls a significant competitive edge. The model is expected to mirror the analytical infrastructure that Benham pioneered at both Brentford and, previously, Midtjylland — a cornerstone of his footballing philosophy.
The timing of the Merida acquisition is notable. In March, Brentford announced the creation of Best Intentions Actions, a holding company designed to “modernise” the club’s ownership, “provide greater flexibility,” and “better position the club for future growth.” Those familiar with the restructure suggest the primary motives include succession planning—allowing Benham to transfer shares to family members—and streamlining the process of bringing in outside investment.
Best Intentions is currently valued at £400 million and is actively seeking minority investment. While insiders say the priority is to attract a strategic partner with expertise in media, branding, or global commercial development, the club has not ruled out a full sale if the right offer presents itself. However, it’s widely believed that any new investor would look to retain Benham’s leadership and analytical model, which has become Brentford’s competitive identity.
The shift toward a holding company structure also aligns Brentford with the ownership models common at the top end of the Premier League, allowing more fluid capital movement and positioning the club to be more agile in a competitive marketplace.
Merida’s inclusion under Best Intentions not only opens up player development pathways in Spain but could also serve as a test case for broader expansion. Brentford are likely to explore additional partnerships or acquisitions, particularly in markets where they can leverage undervalued talent pools and export their data-led methodologies.
The club’s growing commercial ambitions were underlined earlier this year when a deed was signed giving fan group Bees United veto power over any potential stadium sale and securing fan representation on the board — moves designed to reassure supporters amid the club’s structural evolution.
In short, Brentford’s acquisition of Merida marks more than just a foray into Spanish football — it reflects a broader, strategic push to futureproof the club’s operational model, expand its global footprint, and maintain its unique edge in an increasingly commercialised Premier League landscape.
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