Real Madrid Eyes External Investment for Cash Boost

Florentino Perez
Florentino Perez proposes 5% stake sale to boost club finances

Florentino Perez proposes selling 5% stake to external investors while maintaining member ownership. Real Madrid's value hits $6.75 billion, but membership model holds them back, says Perez.


“This investor - or investors - must respect our values, contribute to the growth of the club and help us to protect our assets from external attacks...”


Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, is considering a game-changing move to boost the club's finances. The plan involves creating a subsidiary that would allow external investors to buy a 5% stake in the club, currently valued at $6.75 billion.


The proposal will be put to a vote by the club's members at an extraordinary general meeting, which would require a change to Real Madrid's statutes. Perez emphasized that the current ownership model, where members have control, would remain intact. He also highlighted that being a member would now have “a real and tangible value.”


Perez stated that any investor would need to respect the club's values and contribute to its growth, while also helping to protect its assets from external threats. This move is seen as a way for Real Madrid to stay competitive, especially against clubs owned by private equity, billionaires, or oil-rich states.


“If someone is willing to invest significant amounts of money for a symbolic stake, this is the greatest demonstration of Real Madrid's value,” Perez told the club's members in an hour-long speech repeatedly interrupted by applause.


“This investor - or investors - must respect our values, contribute to the growth of the club and help us to protect our assets from external attacks,” he said.


Real Madrid's membership model is similar to that of Spanish rivals FC Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Osasuna, where members have a significant say in the club's affairs. Around 2,000 members are selected as delegates to the annual meeting, where they elect the president, review accounts, and vote on changes to the club's statutes.




The move to consider external investment follows a recent deal by US fund Apollo to become the majority shareholder in Atletico Madrid, Real's city rivals. This has sparked interest from private equity firms looking to invest in soccer, attracted by the sport's stable revenue streams. Other clubs are also exploring alternative ownership models, and Real Madrid is now looking to follow suit to stay competitive.


Real Madrid is crushing it financially! They're the only football club in the world to have revenues exceeding 1 billion euros, according to Deloitte. For the 2024/2025 season, their revenue grew to 1.19 billion euros, with a net revenue after tax increase of 56% to 24.3 million euros, as stated by President Florentino Perez.


The club's value is also off the charts, standing at a whopping $6.75 billion, making them the most valuable football club globally, according to Forbes. This impressive valuation is a testament to Real Madrid's enduring success and global appeal.


Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, believes the club's membership model is holding them back, particularly in the transfer market. Clubs like Paris St Germain, Manchester City, and Chelsea, backed by private equity, billionaires, or oil-rich states, have a significant advantage, making it tough for Real Madrid to compete.


Perez has been pushing for a European Super League, arguing it would help Real Madrid stay competitive. He's proposed allowing external investors to buy a 5% stake in the club, while maintaining the current membership model. This move is seen as a way to boost the club's finances and stay ahead in the game.


Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, is considering a significant change to the club's ownership structure. Last year, he proposed holding a referendum to reorganize the club's ownership, aiming to "protect us from threats we face" while maintaining member ownership. This move is likely a response to the club's struggles to compete with rival European clubs backed by private equity, billionaires, or oil-rich states.


To implement these changes, Real Madrid will need to hold an extraordinary general meeting to amend its statutes and structure, as required by the club's bylaws. The club already has deals with US private equity firms, including a 2022 agreement with Sixth Street, which received 360 million euros in exchange for rights to develop and operate new businesses at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.


In 2022, Real Madrid struck a deal with Sixth Street, a US private equity firm, where they received 360 million euros in exchange for rights to develop and operate new businesses at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium over the next 20 years.




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