Serie A’s Hellas Verona completes sale to US private equity fund Presidio Investors
January 16 – US private equity fund Presidio Investors have completed their takeover of storied Italian club Hellas Verona.
Finance
Kroenke redefines his sports properties to leverage assets and expertise globally
January 15 – In 2007, Stan Kroenke’s KSE UK inc. purchased a 9.9% stake in Arsenal Football Club. Eleven years later, Kroenke, the owner of Arsenal Holdings plc bought the entire club.
Saudi-owned SURJ set to spend $1bn on DAZN stake
January 15 – After months of speculation, Saudi Arabia is closing in on a $1 billion investment in sports streaming platform DAZN, offering the Arab Kingdom a sports broadcasting arm and home to sports rights properties.
Ranking highlights top U23 targets in transfer window
January 15 – The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled the top U23 players outside Europe’s big five leagues who appear most prepared to take the next step in their careers, based on an index that evaluates a variety of data.
Barca raises €100m in cash for 9,600 long term season tickets in new Camp Nou
January 15 – FC Barcelona’s financial difficulties are well documented, and the search for cash has at times seemed like a selling of the family jewels, however the club announced that they have eased financial concerns after raising an initial €100 million ($102m) from the sale of 30-year ‘season tickets’ in the VIP section of its revamped Camp Nou stadium.
Premier League clubs given clean bill of financial health for 2023-24 sseason
January 14 – All 20 Premier League clubs have been deemed financially compliant with the league’s profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations for the 2023-24 season, meaning no charges have been issued for breaches of financial rules across the top flight.
Textor doubles up on sales with Sportsbank set to buy pre-IPO stake in Eagle Holdings
January 13 – John Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings has a double deal of exclusivity having announced it has entered into an agreement with new private equity group Sportsbank to acquire a position in the holding company whose ownership includes France’s Olympique Lyon and Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo.
Bellingham tops Haaland as world’s highest valued player at €251m
January 8 – Jude Bellingham’s star power and transfer value continues to soar as the Real Madrid and England midfielder tops the latest CIES Football Observatory rankings with a world record valuation of €251 million. The 21-year-old leads a Real Madrid-heavy list of global talent, showcasing the Spanish giants’ unparalleled ability to attract the best in the game.
Disney buys FuboTV with new sports streaming channel on the agenda
January 8 – In a streaming shake-up, Disney has acquired a majority stake in FuboTV with Hulu + Live TV to combine forces in the market.
West Ham post record £270m revenue and £57m profit
January 8 – West Ham United may be in crisis on the pitch as they consider whether to fire Julen Lopetegui and hire ex-Chelsea and Brighton coach, Graham Potter, however off the pitch all is rosy in the financial department.
Textor enters exclusivity talks Crystal Palace share sale with US-Saudi investors
January 7 – A consortium backed by individuals from Saudi Arabia and the United States has signed an exclusivity agreement to buy Eagle Football’s 45% stake in Crystal Palace.
Wales’ New Saints unpaid for transfer of striker Brad Young to Saudi’s Al-Orobah
January 7 – Welsh club football doesn’t often generate much publicity outside the principality but Cymru Premier champions The New Saints have lodged an appeal with FIFA claiming they are owed a transfer fee from Saudi Pro League club Al-Orobah for striker Brad Young.
Control of Serie A’s Genoa passes to Romanian Dan Secu for €40m
December 20 – Romanian businessman Dan Șucu has taken control of the storied Italian club Genoa, ending months of uncertainty under the ownership of 777 Partners.
Freidkin completes Everton buy, ending Moshiri era
December 19 – After much too-ing and fro-ing and having pulled out of an original deal last summer, The Friedkin Group (TFG) has finally completed its majority takeover of Everton, ending the turbulent tenure of Farhad Moshiri and sparking fresh hope for fans of one the Premier League’s longest standing clubs.