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.
Finance
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.
Vancouver Whitecaps owners hang up For Sale sign on MLS club
December 17 – In the history of Major League Soccer (MLS) only three franchises have been sold after formation (Real Salt Lake, Houston Dynamo, Orlando City SC). We can now make that four as the Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership group of Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, and Steve Nash has put their team up for sale.
Man City report rise in 2023/24 revenue to £715m but pending FFP ruling is still the elephant in the room
December 13 – Manchester City have announced a club-record revenue of £715 million for their 2023/24 financial year, alongside profits of £73.8 million.
Sale of Sheffield Utd stalls as Prince Abdullah tries to renegotiate price with club at top of Championship
December 13 – Sheffield United’s Saudi Arabian owner Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, has put the club’s sale on hold as he attempts to negotiate an increase in the sales price if the club are promoted back to the Premier League this season.
Belgium’s Deinze folds after court declares club bankrupt
December 12 – Following the failed takeover of ADA Group, Belgian second-division club KMSK Deinze has been declared bankrupt by a local court in Ghent.
Player trading: Lille and Ajax deal smart, PSG and Man Utd are world’s traders
December 12 – French Ligue1 side LOSC Lille have the highest positive player trading balance in the world, at +€384m, according to a ranking of the monetary balance of transfer transactions covering non-academy players signed since 2015. PSG have the worst trading record.
Bayern Munich break $1bn revenue barrier
December 9 – As well as being the most successful club in Germany, FC Bayern Munich are also the biggest generators of cash. The operational arm of Bayern München AG, has reported a record revenue of €951.5 million ($1 billion) for the 2023/24 fiscal year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024).
US consortium closes in on $105m Sheffield United buy
December 9 – Sheffield United owned by Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, currently top of the Championship and bidding for a return to the Premier League after being relegated last season, is set to be sold for £105 million an American consortium led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy.
West Ham boss Karen Brady warns government that lack of clarity over ownership test is harming new investment
December 5 – Clubs from across the English football pyramid are “alarmed” by the lack of consultation on legislation which could “fundamentally affect the future” of the game, West Ham United vice-chairwoman Karren Brady has warned.
Bruin Capital creates $310m player agency branded AS1
December 5 – US-based private equity investor Bruin Capital, backed by one of its main investors TCJ, has bought three player agencies, merging them into a group reportedly valued at €310 million.
LigaMX clubs to vote on £1.25bn private equity stake in commercial rights from Apollo
December 5 – Mexico’s LigaMX clubs are set to vote on a $1.25 billion proposal to sell a stake in their commercial rights to private equity giant Apollo Global Management with deal also including participation from the NFL.
Le Classique piracy highlights fundamental issue facing LFP’s broadcast deals
December 2 – Illegal streams of professional football have long been a thorn in the side of broadcasters. In France that has been taken to a new level according to stark new findings presented by LFP Media, the commercial entity of the Professional Football League (LFP).
Keith Harris leads £230m Sportsbank bid for Textor’s Crystal Palace shares
November 28 – John Textor, whose multi-club ownership vehicle Eagle Holdings is preparing for a £2.3 billion stock market float, looks to be closing in on the sale of his 46% stake in Premier League Crystal Palace.
Eagle Football raises first $40m in pre-IPO financing led by UCEA Capital Partners
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.