The Premier League’s multi-club owners — who’s got what, and where
Premier League owners are continuing to invest in multi-club models as they look to gain an advantage on their competitors.
Manchester City have taken the multi-club trend to another level in recent years, with their owners – the City Football Group (CFG) – acquiring several teams all over the world.
Liverpool’s owners are now also looking to add a new club to their portfolio alongside Arne Slot’s side.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which is spearheaded by John Henry, has now completed due diligence on Getafe after holding talks with the Spanish club about a potential deal.
Here are the Premier League owners who are currently operating multi-club models.
Todd Boehly (Chelsea, Strasbourg)
BlueCo, which is led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, purchased Chelsea for £4.25billion from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
However, Forbes currently values Enzo Maresca’s side at £2.44bn.
Chelsea have spent around £1.3bn since Boehly and Clearlake took over at Stamford Bridge three years ago.
BlueCo also bought a majority stake in French side Strasbourg in the summer of 2023, setting the ownership group’s multi-club model in motion.
Chelsea have since gone on to agree multiple deals with Strasbourg as the two clubs look to take advantage of the partnership.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Man United, Nice)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased an initial 27.7 per cent stake in Manchester United in February 2024 after agreeing a £1.25bn deal with the Glazers, valuing the club at around £5bn.
The INEOS chief, who is in charge of the footballing operations at Old Trafford, has since increased his shareholding to 28.9 per cent.
Forbes currently values Man United at £4.95bn, ensuring Ruben Amorim’s side are still the Premier League’s most valuable outfit despite their on-field struggles.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe bought a 100 per cent stake in Nice in 2019 for around £85m, but he was forced to put the French side into a blind trust last season after they qualified for the Europa League alongside Man United.
It was reported in May Ratcliffe is looking to sell his Nice shares for more than £210m.
Sheikh Mansour (Man City, New York City FC and more)
While multi-club models aren’t a new phenomenon, CFG is currently leading the way in this space.
The Abu Dhabi United Group, which is owned by Sheikh Mansour – the vice president of the UAE – purchased Man City in 2008 for around £200million.
Forbes now estimates Pep Guardiola’s side to be worth close to £4bn.
CFG was created in 2013 to build a network of clubs, with 12 more teams added to the portfolio alongside Man City.
In addition to Manchester City and New York City FC, Mansour’s portfolio of clubs include: Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos, Girona, Mumbai City, Lommel SK, Troyes, Palermo, Bahia, Sichuan Jiuniu, Montevideo City Torque and Club Bolivar.
Nassef Sawiris (Aston Villa, Guimaraes, Real Union)
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris bought a controlling stake in Aston Villa alongside Wes Edens in 2018.
The duo also own minority stakes in Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes and Spanish club Real Union through their holding company V Sports.
Villa manager Unai Emery’s family own a majority stake in Real Union.
Evangelos Marinakis (Nottingham Forest, Olympiakos, Rio Ave)
Nottingham Forest’s fortunes have turned around dramatically in recent years under Evangelos Marinakis’s ownership.
The Greek billionaire bought Forest in 2017 for around £50m, and they have since gone on to cement their place in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa League.
Meanwhile, the shipping magnate purchased Greek side Olympiakos in 2010 and Portuguese club Rio Ave in 2023.
Marinakis is looking to add to his multi-club model after appointing Edu Gasper as global head of football at the City Ground.
Stan Kroenke (Arsenal, Colorado Rapids)
Stan Kroenke initially invested in Arsenal in 2007 and increased his shareholding over several years before buying the club outright in 2018, with the deal valuing them at around £1.8bn.
Forbes now values Mikel Arteta’s side at £2.55bn.
The American billionaire bought MLS side Colorado Rapids in 2004, while he also owns multiple franchises across different sports.
Football Insider revealed on 4 September Kroenke has seen his fortune increase by more than £1.8bn over the past year to £17.28bn, making him the 102nd richest person in the world.
Tony Bloom (Brighton, Hearts, Union Saint‑Gilloise, Melbourne Victory)
Brighton are widely regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League after building a successful financial model under owner Tony Bloom.
The Englishman became a silent investor in the Seagulls in 2007 before purchasing a controlling stake in 2009, with the club cementing their place in the top flight over the past few years.
The Brighton chairman bought a majority share in Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2018, but he reduced his interest to a minority stake in 2023 after both clubs qualified for the Europa League.
Bloom invested £10m in Hearts this summer to buy a 29 per cent stake in the Scottish club, while he also owns shares in Australian outfit Melbourne Victory.
Bill Foley (Bournemouth, Hibernian, FC Lorient, Auckland FC, Moreirense)
Bill Foley completed his takeover of Bournemouth in 2022 for around £100m.
The American businessman then purchased a 25 per cent stake in Scottish side Hibernian last year.
Foley also owns shares in French club FC Lorient, Auckland FC of New Zealand and Portuguese outfit Moreirense.
Saudi Public Investment Fund (Newcastle, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad)
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) secured the high-profile takeover of Newcastle United from Mike Ashley alongside the Reuben Brothers and PCP International Finance for £305m in 2021.
Forbes now values Eddie Howe’s side at around £820m.
Elsewhere, PIF took over Saudi clubs Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad in 2023.
Newcastle completed the sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to Al-Ahli in 2023, with the deal worth around £23m.
49ers Enterprises (Leeds, Rangers)
49ers Enterprises – the investment arm of NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers – purchased Leeds United in 2023 for £170m.
Red Bull then bought a minority stake at Elland Road last year, with the energy drinks giant invested in multiple clubs across the world, including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
Meanwhile, the 49ers secured the majority takeover of Rangers earlier this year alongside Andrew Cavenagh as the consortium looks to improve on-field matters at Ibrox.
Dan Friedkin (Everton, Roma)
The Friedkin Group (TFG), which is spearheaded by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, bought a controlling stake in Everton from Farhad Moshiri last December for more than £400m.
However, Forbes now estimates David Moyes’s side to be worth £558m.
TFG also owns Serie A giants Roma after purchasing the club for around £530m in 2020.
Matthew Benham (Brentford, Merida AD)
Matthew Benham bought a controlling stake in Brentford in 2012, with his innovative recruitment model later helping the club reach the Premier League.
Benham sold a minority stake in Brentford’s parent company to Gary Lubner and Matthew Vaughn this summer, valuing the club at around £400m.
The Bees’ majority owner purchased Spanish side Merida AD earlier this year.
Daniel Kretinsky (West Ham, Sparta Prague)
Daniel Kretinsky bought a 27 per cent stake in West Ham for around £170m in 2021 and was expected to pursue a full takeover further down the line.
However, the Czech billionaire hasn’t yet attempted to take the reins at the London Stadium, with David Sullivan still holding the largest stake in the Hammers.
Kretinsky initially bought shares in Czech side Sparta Prague in 2004 before later increasing his stake to around 40 per cent.