For the first time since 2011 and the arrival of Qatar at Paris Saint-Germain, the club opens its capital to a minority shareholder.
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It had been in the pipeline for more than a year, when the president of Paris Saint-Germain raised the subject during the World Cup in Qatar, in November 2022. It is now official: a “strategic partnership and investment agreement” was concluded with the American fund Arctos Partners. In other words: Arctos takes a “minority stake” within PSG, valuing the club at 4.25 billion euros.
Via a press release, the club indicates that “cThis partnership will form the basis of PSG’s next phase of global growth and will drive the footballing and commercial successes of the club“.”Arctos’ investment will be used to develop PSG’s operations and support the club’s strategic real estate initiatives, including those related to its stadium and future phases of development of the PSG training center in Poissy, a suburb of Paris. adds the club.
A minority stake of up to 12.5%
Arctos Partners, created in 2020, specializes in the sports industry. The latter have shares in different sporting institutions, notably Liverpool or franchises of the NBA (Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz) and MLB, the North American baseball league (Los Angeles Dodgers). If the arrangement has not been formalized, the Texan investment fund will be able to hold up to 12.5% of the capital of the Parisian club, the latter being valued at 4.25 billion euros. Which makes the capital club one of the most valuable sporting companies in the world.
“This will allow Paris Saint-Germain to free up funds for sporting development, but also for structural investments.explains sports economist Pierre Rondeau, to franceinfo. If we do the calculations, 12.5% of the club’s shares is around 530 million euros that this minority shareholder could bring in. And in the structural development, there is the training center but also the stadium. This last subject is important, the club has the desire to buy and renovate the Parc des Princes.”
PSG does not intend to “separate from the club”
Paris Saint-Germain maintains full control of the club and does not intend, in the future, “separate from the club“, specifies a source close to the matter to FranceInfo. This partnership will allow Paris Saint-Germain to cross “a new stage” in its development. As a reminder, in 2011, PSG was bought by Qatar Sports Investments for 70 million euros from Colony Capital. “As a club and institution, we are entering the next exciting phase of PSG’s growth and development, both on and off the pitch – based on long-term ambitions and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do”commented PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
“Our investment in the club fits perfectly with our strategy of partnership with the best teams in North America and Europe”for his part indicated Doc O’Connor, co-founder and managing partner of Arctos Partners.