On December 15, 2023, V Sports, the holding company of Premier League club Aston Villa, has successfully secured an investment from the east coast US private equity firm Atairos. V Sports, a joint venture owned by Egyptian/American billionaire Nassef Sawiris and US billionaire Wesley Edens, will now have Atairos as a minority partner, although the specific stake and investment amount remain undisclosed.
According to a company statement, V Sports will retain 100% ownership of AVFC (Aston Villa Football Club) after the completion of the transaction and will maintain full control over all decisions related to AVFC.
Aston Villa was initially acquired in June 2016 by Chinese businessman Tony Xia for £76 million. However, Sawiris and Edens purchased the club in 2018 for an estimated £30 million, subsequently investing over £85 million by the end of 2022. This investment has proven successful, with Aston Villa being promoted back to the Premier League in 2019 and currently holding the third position after 17 games, just one point behind league leaders Arsenal.
V Sports has stated that the new capital injection will be used to facilitate growth and infrastructure investments, aiming to create substantial and sustainable value for AVFC and the broader V Sports network.
Despite their significant investment in Aston Villa, Sawiris and Edens have also established a network of clubs and partnerships, including a minority stake in Vitoria S.C. in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and formal partnerships with Real Union in Spain, ZED FC in the Egyptian Premier League, and Vissel Kobe, the Japanese J1 League champions.
In a joint statement, Sawiris and Edens expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing its positive impact on the club’s financial stability and competitiveness in England and Europe. Atairos, headquartered in New York City and Philadelphia with $6.5 billion of equity capital, is making its first foray into football with this investment but has previously invested in sports-based entertainment ventures such as golf and bowling.
Michael Angelakis, Chairman and CEO of Atairos, highlighted Aston Villa’s historical significance, exceptional management team, and substantial growth potential. He expressed confidence in the long-term global growth prospects of the Premier League and Aston Villa’s teams, expressing eagerness to apply Atairos’s expertise in supporting businesses in the leisure, sports, and live entertainment industries to elevate the club to greater heights.
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