It’s official. The American investment fund Arctos Sports Partners entered into the capital of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this Thursday, December 7. By means of a “minority stake”, the club announced without specifying the exact number of shares sold.
An arrangement which constitutes “the basis of the next phase of global growth of PSG”, and “will promote the footballing and commercial success of the club”, wants to believe the club owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) since 2011. Management is already considering several “real estate initiatives”, as well as “expertise” to “continue international expansion”. Among their investment priorities, the acquisition of the Parc des Princes, for which the Paris town hall has again rejected PSG.
A seasoned financial partner
Expectations are as high as Arctos is young. And for good reason, the Texan fund based in Dallas has barely celebrated its first three candles. A “beginner” label that doesn’t stop him from seeing far. And to look at European football clubs with a view to the 2026 World Cup, organized jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Since its creation, Arctos Sports Partners has made a series of sports investments, to the point of making it its trademark. And no area escapes him. From basketball to ice hockey to baseball. Direct and indirect investments have guaranteed it a stake in 16 franchises, including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
In 2022, the investment fund arrives in the football universe. Through the front door, entering the capital of the Liverpool Reds. Enough for the Financial Times awards him the title of “the most prolific buyer of sports stakes in the world”.
A win-win operation
With Paris-Saint-Germain, Arctos Sports Partners has secured a place in the big leagues. The Texan company “is aware of the image of Paris-Saint-Germain, which is as popular on the international scene as with the North American public”, underlines Pierre Rondeau, professor of economics at the Sports Management School, specialist in sports economics and football economics. And to point out the interest of “pooling skills” with a partner who shares the same financial appetites.
It must be said that the idea is not new. Engaged in talks for several months, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi raised the possibility of selling part of the club at the end of 2022. “Between 5 and 15%”. No more. “We are not going to sell” PSG, he then warned.
“The Parisian and Qatari leaders wanted to open their capital to increase their financial strength,” explains Pierre Rondeau. Especially since in ten years, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has managed to inflate the valuation of PSG from 70 million to some 4.25 billion euros. For the specialist, “a historic increase” that “the standards of US sport” covet.
“If we assume that the investment fund recovered between 10% and 12.5% of the club valued at 4.25 billion, this means that they paid in 425 and 531 million euros, or almost four to five times more than the purchase price in 2011 by the Qataris. Who thus had every interest in selling a minority share of the club. As long as they stay in charge.