US-based investor RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to buy an 85% stake in French soccer team Toulouse FC, while UK’s Bridgepoint has approached England’s Football Association for a stake in the Women’s Super League, according to Sky News.
The Toulouse FC deal will see club owner Olivier Sadran step down as president, while retaining a 15% stake. RedBird’s sports-related investments include regional sports broadcaster YES Network and OneTeam, the provider of a platform managing athletes’ intellectual property.
Meanwhile, Bridgepoint is seeking a significant minority stake in a new company that would own the WSL’s commercial rights. The league’s 12 member clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are expected to own shares in the new business alongside the FA. The WSL and Toulouse FC are among several sports assets to attract interest from private equity investors in recent weeks.
Source: Pitchbook
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