West Ham United are in advanced discussions to sell up to 49% of their women’s team to Monarch Collective, the U.S. private equity fund specialising in women’s sports, in a deal that would value the Women’s Super League (WSL) side at about £55m, according to The Guardian.

The club’s current ownership group – David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky, and the Gold family – would retain majority control if the deal is completed. West Ham would become the second WSL team this year to sell equity to U.S. investors, following Chelsea’s £20m sale of a 10% stake in May to Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder. Aston Villa are also reported to be in talks with American investors over a similar move.

Monarch Collective, co-founded by Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson, is the world’s largest women’s sports-dedicated investment fund. The firm’s all-female investor base includes philanthropist Melinda French Gates and former Netflix executives Cindy Holland and Annie Imhoff. 

Nortman previously co-founded Angel City FC in Los Angeles, which set a record $250m valuation when it was sold last year. Monarch has since invested in NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy FC.

Monarch is expected to bring additional capital and strategic expertise to West Ham Women, with plans to support squad investment and help resolve the club’s dispute with the London Stadium landlord.

The talks underline the increasing appeal of women’s football to private equity investors, as the WSL continues to attract global capital and stronger commercial opportunities following England’s successive European Championship triumphs.

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