Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital has made a $200m investment in ALK Capital’s football operations, acquiring a stake in the holding company that owns Premier League side Burnley FC and La Liga club RCD Espanyol.

The deal brings together two veteran sports investors, Alan Pace, Managing Partner of ALK Capital, and David Checketts, Founder and Managing Director of Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital, nearly two decades after their successful partnership at Real Salt Lake, where they led the MLS club to its first championship.

The partnership marks the debut investment for Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund I, a newly launched private equity vehicle targeting $1.2bn for sports-related investments across professional teams, leagues, media, and technology.

“Alan and I have known each other for decades – as partners, colleagues, and friends. We built Real Salt Lake from the ground up, and now we can collaborate again on two of Europe’s most historic clubs,” said Checketts.

Pace added: “We share the same vision for what great sports ownership looks like – combining integrity, innovation, long-term value creation, and championship culture.”

The transaction strengthens ALK’s position as a leading multi-club operator across Europe and extends Checketts’ role at Burnley, where he has served on the board since ALK’s 2020 acquisition. The new partnership will focus on driving sustainable growth, commercial expansion, and performance improvement across both clubs.

The deal also reflects the growing influence of U.S. private capital in European football. Roughly half of the Premier League’s 20 clubs are now owned by U.S. investors, including recent deals such as Woody Johnson’s acquisition of a stake in Crystal Palace FC.

Jefferies Financial Group advised ALK Capital on the transaction.

If you think we missed any important news, please do not hesitate to contact us at news@pe-insights.com.

Can`t stop reading? Read more.