Apollo became Atlético Madrid’s major shareholder, sparking a growing wave of investment in the American top division club. main
November 13, 2025 – 10:57am
american fund Apollo Sports Capital Approximately in November 2025 55% of Atlético de Madrid sharesafter financing the capital increase of red and white entities. Once the operation is complete, Apollo will: major shareholder of the clubreinforcing a historic change in the ownership structure of the Madrid team, which has traditionally been dominated by Spanish capital.
With this deal, Atlético joins an increasingly extensive list. European clubs with majority or significant participation in American capitalthis trend has accelerated over the past decade and now covers teams from the continent’s major leagues.
Clubs with American shareholders (2025)
England: Premier, the heart of North America’s capitals
English football has long been a favorite destination for American investors. Some of the clubs are majority ownership stand out:
- manchester united – Glazer Family (USA). American owners maintain a majority stake in the historic Old Trafford club.
- liverpool – Fenway Sports Group (USA). The John W. Henry Group has owned the entire capital since 2010.
- chelsea – Todd Boley/Clearlake Capital (USA). A consortium led by Boley acquired the club in 2022.
- arsenal – Stan Kroenke (USA). The American businessman has been in 100% control since 2018.
- Aston Villa – NSWE (EG, Sawiris/USA, Wes Edens). 50/50 co-ownership with definitive participation of American Edens.
There is also important holdingsthings like the Eagle Football Foundation john textercontrols about 45%. crystal palace From 2021.
Spain: Expansion of US capital from Mallorca to Atlético
America’s presence in Spanish soccer has been limited until recent years, but its presence is rapidly accelerating.
- real mallorca – Liga ACQ Legacy Partners LLC (USA, Robert Sarver). The owner of the Phoenix Suns acquired a majority stake in 2016.
- Sevilla FC – 777 Partners (USA). Since 2019, it has maintained a minority stake of nearly 10%.
- atlético de madrid – Apollo Sports Capital (USA). Apollo’s recent entry of nearly 55% will change the structure of Madrid’s club.
With this strategy, Spain will not only be invested by North American funds; control position In its historical existence.
Italy: almost complete control of American capital
of italian serie a Today, it is a European territory with the largest presence of US capital and several clubs under full or majority control.
- ac milan – RedBird Capital Partners (USA). Majority rule from 2022.
- AS Roma – Friedkin Group (USA). Dan Friedkin got 86.6% in 2020.
- Fiorentina – Rocco Commisso (USA). Total purchases in 2019.
- Spezia Calcio – RAM Spezia Holdings LP (USA). 100% from April 2025.
- Venice FC – Consortium of Opera Committees (USA). The majority after 2024.
- Hellas Verona – Presidio Investors (USA). Acquired majority of shares from January 2025.
- Inter Milan – Oaktree Capital Management (USA). Control will begin in 2024 after Chinese group Suning defaults on payments.
The American phenomenon in Italy shows a clear strengthening. More than half of the clubs in Serie A They participate directly or indirectly in US funds.
France and Belgium: model continuity from Marseille to Lyon
French and Belgian soccer are also consolidating their arrival in North America.
- olympique marseille – Frank McCourt (USA). The majority since 2016.
- olympique lyon – Eagle Football (John Texter, USA). From 2023, it will control 77.5%.
- Toulouse FC – RedBird Capital Partners (USA). 85% ownership from 2023.
- Standard of Liege (Belgium) – 777 Partners (USA). Full control from 2022.
model of Acquisition of medium-sized clubs And integration into international sports asset networks (such as Eagle Football and 777 Partners) is being repeated across the region.
Background: From Burnley to Leeds, landing pioneers
The arrival of American capital in Europe is not recent. In recent years, the following related works have already been carried out:
- Burnley FC (England) – ALK Capital (USA). 84% from 2020 onwards.
- Leeds United (England) – 49ers Enterprises (USA). The majority since 2018.
- Genova CFC (Italy) – 777 Partners (USA). Purchased in 2021, sold in 2024.
- Bordeaux Girondins (France) – King Street Capital (USA). He coached the club from 2018 to 2021.
These incidents opened the door to the next. A continuing wave of acquisitionstoday it has reached even more 20 clubs in the first division on the continent.
Global phenomena affecting sports and the economy
The advancement of American capital into European soccer Financial and strategic reasons: Global brand expansion, audiovisual rights management, and synergies with US sports leagues and franchises.
For clubs, the entry of these funds is Capital injection, structural modernization, management professionalizationHowever, it also provokes debate, as there is a risk that regional control will be lost and economic interests will be prioritized over sporting results.
With the entry of From Apollo to Atletico MadridEuropean football reaches new milestone: More Approximately 20 teams in the first division Today they have many participants american capitalmarks a new stage in the globalization of the world’s most popular sport.
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