Finance – Inside World Football

Cagliari’s US shareholders up stage to 49% as club eyes new stadium

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:33:20 +0000

February 23 – Cagliari Calcio has confirmed majority shareholder Fluorsid Group is selling an additional 29% stake in the club to a group of US-based investors led by Maurizio Fiori and Prashant Gupta.

Following completion of the transaction, the American group will hold 49% of the club’s share capital, consolidating what had previously been a smaller minority position. Fluorsid retains overall control with a slight majority.

The deal will not alter Cagliari’s executive leadership or day-to-day management,

Birmingham City owners Kinghthead separates women’s team, takes on new investors

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:49:39 +0000

February 18 – Birmingham City Women have been sold to the club’s ownership group, Shelby Companies Limited, alongside a group of independent investors that includes former England international Karen Carney and former women’s tennis world No.1 Kim Clijsters, who has taken a minority stake.

Shelby Companies Limited is the holding vehicle through which Knighthead Capital Management controls Birmingham City. According to a club statement, 97% of Birmingham City Women FC has been acquired by the holding company.

UEFA 2024-25 revenue tops €5bn, record for non-Euro year

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:02:52 +0000

February 16 – UEFA approved its 2024-25 accounts for the financial year at its congress in Brussels last week with a record €5 billion in total revenue being achieved, the first time it has passed that mark in a year without a men’s Euros final tournament.

It is an increase of €737 million compared with 2023/24 when excluding EURO 2024 income.

€3.9 billion was redistributed directly to clubs and national associations,

Bees boost 2024/25 revenue but stung by £20m+ of losses

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:06:43 +0000

February 12 – Premier League Brentford have posted record revenues of £173.1 million for the 2024–25 financial year, up from £166.5 million, but despite being noted for their data driven and economic approach, have still shown a pre-tax loss of £20.5 million.

Operating losses before player trading widened to £40 million. Wages and amortisation climbed as Brentford continued to invest in the squad, adding Fábio Carvalho, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Jayden Meghoma, Michael Kayode and Sepp van den Berg.

Bulgarian legend Stoichkov to take stake in Romania’s Farul Constanța

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:42:55 +0000

February 13 – Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov is set to become a major shareholder in the Romanian top-flight club Farul Constanța, according to reports.

The move is triggered by a significant management shake-up following Gheorghe Hagi’s decision to accept an offer to become the head coach of the Romanian national team. Under national regulations, Hagi must sever formal ties with his club to lead the national side.

Stoichkov, a 1994 Ballon d’Or winner,

Bees boost 2024/25 revenue but stung by £20m+ of losses

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:33:04 +0000

NBA star buys into Chelsea Women

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:40 +0000

February 9 – Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s is more confirmation that ownership in clubs is becoming more of an asset class than a side hustle, especially where there is the opportunity to build portfolios at a knock-down rate compared to the franchise model of sporting institutions in the United States.

The NBA superstar has joined the ownership group of Chelsea Women alongside Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who has demonstrated success in investing in women’s football,

The post NBA star buys into Chelsea Women appeared first on Inside World Football.

Schalke 04 fans buy a piece of their home

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:11:15 +0000

February 9 – FC Schalke 04 has raised approximately €7.5 million in new equity after selling a minority stake in the operating company of the VELTINS-Arena to fan-owned cooperative Auf Schalke eG – a move that forms part of the club’s ongoing financial restructuring.

Under the deal, Schalke transferred 5.4% of FC Schalke 04-Stadion-Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Immobilienverwaltungs-KG to the cooperative, corresponding to nominal shares worth €2.16 million. The total share capital of the stadium company remains €40 million.

The post Schalke 04 fans buy a piece of their home appeared first on Inside World Football.

Transfer window: Deals done up, but value of transactions down

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:04:37 +0000

February 6 – There were a record 5,973 international transfers recorded in the January trading window for men’s football, according to data from FIFA’s Transfer Snapshot report.

But while the 3% increase in deals done took the player market to a new level, the $1.9 billion total spending was down about 18% from last year’s record $2.37 billion spend in the winter transfer window.

Unsurprisingly, English clubs were the top spenders with $363 million.

Bayern lead prize money ranking from UCL so far; Premier League clubs cash in

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:49:00 +0000

February 6 – FC Bayern München were the biggest prize money winners of the league stage of this year Champions League, with an enormous €100 million payout. They were closely followed by Liverpool (€97m), Manchester City (€97m), and Arsenal (€96m).

Five of the top seven teams were from the Premier League. Barcelona, with €89 million were ranked sixth and the Spanish rivals Real Madrid 9th with €81 million. Last years winners PSG have so far racked up €82 million,

Leicester City join relegation dogfight after being docked 6 points for breaching financial rules

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:52:57 +0000

February 6 – Ten years on from the most improbable Premier League triumph in modern football history, and just five years removed from lifting the FA Cup, Leicester City now find themselves staring at the trapdoor of relegation from the Championship after being docked six points by the English Football League for breaching financial rules.

The EFL’s sanction takes place with immediate effect, sending the Foxes from 17th to 20th in the table.

Ariel Investments raises $250m for Women’s Sports acquisitions

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:00:43 +0000

February 6 – Chicago-based investment firm Ariel Investments has raised its first women’s sports fund, announcing $250 million in committed capital for its Project Level, fund which invest in women’s sports.

Ariel President and co-CEO Mellody Hobson said: “Reaching $250 million is a meaningful start, not a finish line. Our ambition remains clear: bringing scale, operational excellence and a discerning investment lens to elevate women’s sports while delivering compelling returns for our limited partners.”

The fund has made one if its first investments in the National Women’s Soccer League’s newest debutant,

Corinthians agree deal to reschedule €192m of tax debt

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:44:52 +0000

February 6 – To ease the financial crisis at the club, Corinthians have renegotiated and repackaged debts of R$1.2 billion (€192 million).

The Sao Paulo giants have sealed a tax transaction agreement with Brazil’s National Treasury Attorney General’s Office (PGFN) to settle long-running tax debts, including approximately R$1 billion (€160 million) in non-social security debts, R$200 million (€32 million) in social security liabilities and around R$15 million (€2.4 million) linked to FGTS (employee severance obligations).

Brooklyn Earick and Ng Wing-Fai close in on acquisition of Daniel Levy’s Spurs stake

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:50:23 +0000

February 3 – The rumours surrounding the acquisition of Premier League Tottenham Hotspur have intensified. Insideworldfootball has exclusively received verification that they are not just rumours but that an agreement is close on the acquisition of former Spurs executive chairman Daniel Levy’s near 30% shareholding in ENIC/THFC.

A consortium led by US investor Brooklyn Earick and Hong Kong financier Ng Wing Fai could conclude the acquisition as early as this month, according to a high placed source with knowledge of the deal who spoke to Insideworldfootball on the condition of anonymity.

Kings League closes $63m funding round to turbo charge expansion

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:19:24 +0000

February 3 – Gerard Piqué’s Kings League has taken the non-traditional football world by storm, and now the financial world is waking up to its impact with a $63 million investment round.

The seven-a-side, creator-led football competition has closed a funding raise led by Alignment Growth, with existing backers Left Lane, Antifund, Bolt Ventures, and founding company Kosmos looking at further expansion, including a new domestic competition in the United States.

Kings League says the capital injection will fuel its global ambitions across both the men’s and women’s formats.

Elliott out at AC Milan as RedBird refinances debt

Andy Elliott — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:10:54 +0000

February 3 – RedBird Capital Partners has tightened its grip on AC Milan, announcing the successful completion of a refinancing that will strengthen the club’s long-term financial flexibility.

Milan owners RedBird struck a deal to refinance a loan originally provided by Elliott Management in 2022 to complete their acquisition of the club.

Since then, the loan has accrued interest and in December 2024, RedBird and Elliott agreed to a partial refinancing,

Textor struggles to raise cash as court blocks Botafogo asset sales

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:10:52 +0000

January 30 – A Botofogo court has prevented the cash-strapped Botafogo club from selling players and assets.

The court invoked non-compliance with a November ruling in which club owner John Textor and his Eagle Football Holdings could only sell assets if he notified the court and the social club.

Despite the court order, players like Marlon Freitas and Savarino have been traded without the membership being informed.

The judge argued: “Considering the media reports regarding the hasty negotiation of athletes,

Match day revenues growing in importance across Europe, finds report

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:47:14 +0000

January 30 – With €232.6 million in match day revenues last season, Real Madrid lead a financial ranking of how much Europe’s leading clubs generate from match day activities at their home fixtures.

Real Madrid are followed by Manchester United FC (€190.7 million), Arsenal FC (€183.0 million), Paris Saint-Germain FC (€176.6 million), and FC Barcelona (€150.2 million), completing the top five.

Eight Premier League clubs are in the top 20 which also has Galatasaray,

Manchester United appoint Collette Roche as CEO of new stadium development

Andy Elliott — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:49:38 +0000

January 29 – Manchester United have formally placed Collette Roche at the centre of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in European football, appointing her chief executive of the club’s new stadium development.

The move formalises Roche’s leadership of United’s role in the Old Trafford Regeneration project, following the launch of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (OTR MDC). That body will oversee plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium and the wider redevelopment of the surrounding area.

FIFA releases Global Transfer Report as spending hits $13.11billion

Andy Elliott — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:36:56 +0000

January 29 – FIFA has released in annual report of global transfer spending, with transactions in the transfer market topping €10 billion for the first time – a sign that football’s economic profile continues to expand.

The 2025 Global Transfer Report shows that more than 86,000 international transfers were completed across the men’s and women’s game in 2025 — the highest figure recorded.

Transfer spending didn’t just creep upward either as it soared through the $10 billion ceiling,

Ares Management moves in on Eagle Holdings as Textor misses debt repayment

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:18:43 +0000

January 28 – Private equity investment firm Ares Management has moved to take control of Eagle Football Holdings from American businessman John Textor.

Brazilian newspaper O Globo reports that Ares, which provided Textor (pictured) with financing for the acquisition of Olympique Lyon and other clubs, activated a clause after Eagle Football failed to meet specific financial obligations. It would end Textor’s operational command over the holding group that spans clubs in France, Belgium and Brazil.

WSL Football comfortable with £8.2m loss in first year of operation

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:40:54 +0000

January 28 – WSL Football, the independent business running Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship and which is owned by the clubs, has reported an operating loss of £8.2 million in its first year.

The company, established in August 2024, published accounts for the season ending 31 July 2025. Revenue totalled £17.4 million, split equally between broadcasting (£8.4 million) and sponsorship/licensing (£8.5 million). WSL Football described the loss as “anticipated for a new entity focused on protecting and supporting as many clubs as possible,” highlighting the costs involved in transitioning to a standalone organisational model.

Women’s transfer market growing, but big leagues dominate a market still to reach maturity, finds report

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:03:06 +0000

January 23 – The women’s transfer market is growing with transfer volume rising rapidly, and more clubs are working internationally, but fee-paying transactions are still a minority of overall activity.

A report by Football Benchmark finds that while the women’s transfer market is “scaling quickly it is still in the early stages of structural maturity.”

The report says that transfers “involving fees are central to value creation and redistribution, allowing selling clubs to reinvest in player development,

MLS extends Summer transfer window as it moves into player trading alignment with Europe

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:20:47 +0000

January 23 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has fixed one of its most persistent self-inflicted problems. For 2026, the league will extend its summer transfer window, with the deadline moving to September 2.

This is the first time MLS has properly aligned the close of its window with the major European leagues. While sounding like a simple administrative fix, for sporting directors, it changes the scope of the job.

Until this change,

Bournemouth’s first phase of Vitality Stadium ‘modernisation’ greenlighted

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:52:07 +0000

January 23 – AFC Bournemouth have received planning approval to carry out a package of ‘modernisation works’ at the Vitality Stadium, with the Premier League club outlining the project as a key step in its longer-term redevelopment plans.

The project was granted approval by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, clearing the way for upgrades aimed at improving infrastructure, safety and the overall matchday experience.

The approved works include the installation of a new perimeter fence and turnstile system,

Real Madrid once again top Deloitte Money League

Andy Elliott — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:18:43 +0000

January 22 – Real Madrid remain the financial benchmark in world football, finishing top of Deloitte’s latest Football Money League as the game’s biggest clubs pushed revenues to a new high.

The Money League table lays out the combined total of €12.4bn in revenue generated by the top 20 clubs across the 2024/25 season – an increase of 11% on the previous year. Deloitte point to three main income streams to explain the growth,

English club finance chiefs expect more losses and more funds needed, finds BDO report

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:59:27 +0000

January 21 – English football’s headline numbers continue to impress, but the underlying picture is far less comfortable, according to a new report from accountancy firm BDO – warning that sustained losses, rising costs and widening inequality are putting the game’s financial model under growing strain.

In its latest report, ‘Defying Gravity: The Ever-expanding Football Universe’, accountants BDO’s survey of financial directors found that around 90% of professional clubs across the top four English leagues expect to report pre-tax trading losses in 2025,

Flamengo in the black with $391m revenue and 32% operational profit margin

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 02:50:12 +0000

January 21 – Flamengo is flying high after a record-setting financial year. Club revenue last season hit R$2.1 billion ($391 billion), with a 32% profit margin. At the same time the club cut its debt by 72%, with further plans to reduce it to less than R$50 million (9.3 million), which will give them some financial breathing room.

Flamengo hasn’t stopped spending money either. They invested more than R$1 billion ($163 million) in players,

Scottish football boasts £820m impact on the national economy

Andy Elliott — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:18:32 +0000

January 20 – Scottish football generated £820m in gross value added (GVA) for the national economy during the 2023/24 season and supported more than 14,300 full-time equivalent jobs, according to new independent research from the Fraser of Allander Institute.

The study, commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) and Scottish Football Association, places the combined economic footprint of the professional men’s and women’s game –

Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona top women’s club money league

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:45:53 +0000

January 19 – Arsenal and Chelsea are the biggest revenue generating women’s teams with more than €25 million in revenue last year, followed by Barcelona with €22 million.

Manchester City and Manchester United complete the top five with the top 15 clubs for the first time topping £150 million in cumulative revenue at €158 million, a 34% increase on the previous year.

The Deloitte’s Women’s Club Revenue Ranking is now in its fourth edition and focuses on the club markets of England,