November 27 – The multi-club ownership group Eagle Football Holdings, led by US businessman John Textor, has announced $40 million of initial equity investment towards a $100 million pre-IPO financing round, led by Portuguese investment fund UCEA Capital Partners.
At the end of October Textor announced plans to take his Eagle Football group public in the US with a $1.1 billion flotation in the first quarter of 2025.
“Eagle Football has reached an exciting inflection point, and this funding brings us one step closer to our IPO ambitions,” said Textor.
“We are thrilled to have the backing of such a respected investor as we execute scalable entertainment and technology strategies to complement our network of global football clubs.”
Eagle Football is having success on the pitch with its clubs but off it is coming up against cashflow problems.
Olympique Lyonnais, one of the France’s most prestigious clubs and domestic title winners seven times, have been banned from making any signings in the January transfer window and will be relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the season if they are unable to address a financial crisis estimated to require €100 million to resolve. The club does currently have the commercial opportunity of a good run in the Europa League.
In Brazil Botafogo are leading Serie A by three points with two games remaining. Botafogo are also in the final of Copa Libertadores on November 30, with a win qualifying them for the 2025 Club World cup in the US.
Eagle Football also owns a 45% stake in Premier League Crystal palace but has put that shareholding up for sale in favour of buying into a club where the group can have management control.
Eagle Football’s business model is based on a global pooling of resources, for the financial and competitive benefit of all Eagle clubs.
“Often confused as just a football organisation, we value Eagle Football as a diverse entertainment and technology company that uniquely pursues audience engagement as its principal business strategy,” said Joao Teixeira, Chairman of UCEA Capital Partners.
“This is a truly innovative and disruptive approach, in the business of football, and we are excited to support the Company’s next phase of growth.”
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