The Billionaires of Football: Who Are the Moguls Shaking Up Top Teams?

Everyone hits a point where boredom strikes. Sometimes, it’s because nothing new is happening, or simply that all avenues of entertainment have been exhausted. Hard to believe, but even those with endless resources grow tired of vacation homes, white-sand beaches, and yachts with helicopters. They end up seeking something new to enjoy.

When you’re bored, you might open a bottle of wine; they, the billionaires, buy a football club!

Life’s not fair, I know! You’re sitting on your couch, contemplating whether to place that bet, while Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan buys yet another football club—his fifteenth!

City Football Group (CFG): The Ultimate Powerhouse

City Football Group (CFG) is by far the strongest player in the field and is owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, a global firm managing numerous top football clubs. Among CFG’s most notable acquisitions are Manchester City FC, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Girona, Troyes (France), Palermo, and more. These clubs now belong to CFG's global network, providing them access to vast financial resources and quality infrastructure.

CFG also partners with other clubs worldwide, such as Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay, Mumbai City FC, and İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. These partnerships help CFG extend its influence and promote its brand internationally, solidifying its position as the top multi-club owner in global football.

From Energy Drinks to Football Clubs and Formula 1

Red Bull GmbH is another significant player in football, owning and operating several clubs worldwide. Red Bull entered the sport in 2005 with the purchase of Austrian club SV Austria Salzburg, later rebranding it as RB Salzburg. Their network quickly expanded to include clubs like RB Leipzig in Germany, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino, and FC Red Bull Sao Paulo in Brazil. Despite their success in European competitions and consistent podium finishes with Salzburg and Leipzig, Red Bull’s ownership has led to significant fan backlash, mainly due to the rebranding and loss of original club identities.

Red Bull GmbH also owns a major Formula 1 team, Red Bull Racing. The company’s principal shareholders are Dietrich Mateschitz and the Yoovidhya family.

An Italian Family Affair

The Pozzo family is well-known in football circles for their involvement with several clubs in Europe. Their portfolio includes Udinese in Italy, Watford FC in England, and Granada in Spain.

Under their ownership, these clubs have made notable player transfers, including Alexis Sanchez, Juan Cuadrado, Allan, Luis Muriel, and Rodrigo de Paul. Key achievements include Watford’s promotion to the Premier League and Udinese Calcio’s participation in European competitions. Granada CF also enjoyed an impressive run in La Liga and reached the UEFA Europa League during the 2020-2021 season.

Everyone Wants a Slice of the Football Pie

We all have a favorite team and may have even dreamed as kids of owning it one day. But investment funds and world billionaires have moved beyond betting and oil riches to owning real-life playthings on the pitch.

Besides the three entities mentioned, a few more are worth noting:

The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) made headlines with its acquisition of Newcastle United FC from the Premier League. Although Newcastle hadn’t won any major titles for years, PIF’s investment has secured them a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stages this season.

Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is another major player, owning Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), one of France’s most successful teams. Under Qatari ownership, PSG has won ten Ligue 1 titles and performed well in European competitions, including the Champions League semifinals and finals.

Groupe Radès also has a foothold in African football, with clubs like US Monastir in Tunisia and Maghreb de Fes in Morocco.

Though John Textor is relatively new to the football business, he has acquired no less than four clubs through his companies: Lyon, Botafogo, Crystal Palace, and RWD Molenbeek.