Atletico Madrid coming under U.S. ownership : NPR
Marcos Llorente of Atletico Madrid celebrates his team’s third goal during a Champions League opening stage soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Union Saint-Gilloise in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Manu Fernande/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Manu Fernande/AP
MADRID — Atletico Madrid is on the verge of coming under American ownership.
Apollo Sports Capital, an asset management company, will become the majority shareholder of the Spanish club early next year, Atletico announced on Monday. No financial details were disclosed.
Director General Miguel Ángel Gil and President Enrique Cerezo will remain in their positions to ensure “continuity of vision and leadership”, the two parties said in a joint statement.
Gil’s position at Atletico has increased his influence in football, as he is a member of the executive committees of the influential group of European football clubs and UEFA.
The statement also said the deal for Atletico “is not part of a multi-club ownership control strategy.”
“ASC’s investment will strengthen the club’s position among football’s elite and support its ambition to deliver long-term success to millions of fans around the world,” Atletico and Apollo said. “As long-term investors, ASC and existing shareholders will partner with Atlético de Madrid management to strengthen the club’s financial strength, sporting competitiveness and community impact.”
Apollo Sports Capital has also invested in the Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments.
The company said it “intends to invest additional capital to support the club’s long-term plans, including additional investments in Atlético de Madrid’s teams and major infrastructure projects” such as Ciudad del Deporte, a sports and entertainment district adjacent to its Metropolitano stadium.
Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone since 2011 and currently fourth in La Liga, are 11-time Spanish champions, most recently in 2021. The team reached the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, losing to Real Madrid each time.
Rob Givone, portfolio manager at ASC, described Atletico – founded in 1903 – as “one of the greatest sporting institutions in Europe”.
Previous investors in Atletico included Chinese conglomerate Wanda, which sold its stake to Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer’s Quantum Pacific Group.
