The world of top-tier football could be seeing another massive shift in ownership. Reports suggest that Apollo Global Management, a well-known investment firm from the United States, is deep in talks. They want to make a huge play for Atlético de Madrid, aiming for a majority stake in the Spanish club.
According to the Spanish newspaper Expansión, which cites several market sources, Apollo is talking directly with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. He is the main owner of the "Rojiblancos." This deal could value the Madrid club at an eye-popping 2.5 billion euros. That’s a lot of money changing hands.
Who Owns the Club Now?
Right now, a company called Atlético Holdco holds the biggest chunk of the club. They control 70.39% of Atlético de Madrid’s capital. Another British firm, Quantum Pacific, which was started by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, owns 27.81%.
Inside Atlético Holdco, things are a bit more detailed. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín holds the largest share, with 50.82% of its stock. Another U.S. investment firm, Ares Management, owns 33.96%. The club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, has a 15.22% stake in Atlético Holdco.
Apollo’s Strategy
Apollo’s goal is to take control of Atlético Holdco. They plan to do this by pumping in new capital. This move would mean that the current owners’ shares would become smaller in proportion. Think of it like adding more water to a glass; everyone’s original amount gets spread out.
This strategy isn’t new for the club. Ares Management used the exact same method to buy into Atlético Holdco. That happened in 2021, shortly after the global health crisis slowed things down. It shows a proven path for major investors to get their foot in the door.
A Trend in Football?
This potential deal comes at a time when big money is flowing into football clubs. Just this week, another British company, Velocity Sport Limited (VSL), became the new owner of Espanyol, a club based in Barcelona. VSL is led by Alan Pace, who also owns Burnley. It seems more and more, private equity and investment groups are seeing the value in owning a piece of the beautiful game.