Americanii bogaţi cumpără cluburi de fotbal europene la preţuri reduse
American investor Kyle Krause announced on Friday that he has reached an agreement to acquire the Italian football club Parma for a staggering €591 million. This announcement comes just weeks after another American billionaire, Dan Friedkin, took over the rival club Roma, as reported by Bloomberg.
In the past 18 months, there has been a surge in acquisitions of European football clubs by American investors, including teams like ACF Fiorentina and Toulouse FC.
Financially, these purchases are driven by the belief that European football offers greater value compared to American sports franchises. Paul Conway, co-founder of Pacific Media Group, which owns several football teams across Europe, stated, „Investing in American sports is quite expensive, with high price tags.” He noted that a professional baseball or basketball team in the U.S. typically sells for at least $1 billion.
Another American investor, Joseph DaGrosa, is currently in talks to acquire the English club Southampton. Sources indicate that the club’s owner, Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng, is seeking around £200 million ($256 million) for the sale, according to Bloomberg.
Consulting firm KPMG highlights that American investors hold significant stakes in about one-fifth of the approximately 60 top-tier football clubs in the UK, Italy, and France. Their presence has become more pronounced as Chinese investors have retreated, having previously acquired teams like Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Bromwich Albion.
„Chinese investments have dwindled following the Beijing government’s push for a more domestically focused investment strategy in sports. This gap has largely been filled by American investors who see potential value in European football,” explained Michael Broughton, an analyst at Acceleration Equity, a fund that invests in sports teams.
Looking ahead, analysts anticipate further transactions in European football. American entrepreneur Henry Mauriss was exploring an offer for Newcastle United F.C. earlier this year, a bid that resurfaced after failed negotiations with a consortium led by a Saudi firm.
Additionally, several American investment funds, including Advent International and Bain Capital, are vying to invest in top-tier Italian football clubs. Bull Horn Holdings Corp., a New York-based company, is also looking to make acquisitions in the sports and media sectors, drawn by the value presented by European teams.
Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sports teams, leading to revenue losses due to empty stadiums and reduced broadcasting income. However, this situation has not deterred American investors; rather, they are encouraged by the lower valuations of European football clubs at this time.
„We made this acquisition fully aware of the pandemic context. We believe we can find a way to succeed despite these challenges and are planning for a long-term future,” stated Kyle Krause, the new owner of Parma football club.
