V Sports Announces Investment from Atairos

[Tuscans]

V Sports S.C.S. (“V Sports”), a joint venture of Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens and the owner of Aston Villa FC Limited and Aston Villa Women’s Football Club Limited (together, “AVFC” or the “Club”), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Atairos to become a partner in V Sports. V Sports will continue to own 100% of AVFC post-closing of the transaction and will continue to have full control of all decisions at AVFC.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atairos will invest to become a minority partner in V Sports. Atairos’ capital investment will primarily be used to fund growth and infrastructure investments, with the aim of creating material and sustainable value for AVFC and the broader V Sports network over time. The transaction marks the exceptional achievements of AVFC under V Sports’ stewardship over the last five years and positions the Club firmly for an exciting next phase of growth. The transaction is subject to Premier League approval, customary conditions and relevant regulatory approvals and consents being obtained.

Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens said: “V Sports is delighted to be partnering with a long-term strategic investor in Atairos who shares our compelling vision for the future of the Club and our passion for football. This exciting partnership enhances the Club’s financial footing and strengthens its ability to compete in England and in Europe. V Sports is fully committed to further investment in Aston Villa FC and its men’s and women’s teams and looks forward to its continued growth and success.”

Michael Angelakis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Atairos, said: “Aston Villa is a historic football club with an exceptional management team and significant growth potential. We are strong believers in the long-term global growth potential of the Premier League and Aston Villa’s men’s and women’s teams. We have great respect for Aston Villa’s leadership and look forward to partnering with Nassef and Wes. We are excited to bring our expertise in supporting businesses in the leisure, sports, and live entertainment industries to elevate the Club to even greater heights.”

About Atairos

Atairos is an independent strategic investment company focused on supporting growth-oriented businesses across a wide range of industries. Atairos provides a unique combination of active strategic partnership and patient long-term capital to high-potential companies and their management teams. Atairos was launched in 2016 and has $6.5 billion of equity capital. Atairos has offices in New York City and Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.atairos.com.

About V Sports

V Sports S.C.S. (“V Sports”) is a holding company jointly controlled by Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens. V Sports is the current owner of Aston Villa Football Club and Aston Villa Women’s Football Club. During their stewardship of the 149-year-old institution (since 2018), Aston Villa has risen from the second tier of the English league pyramid to the Premier League and European competition. V Sports also holds a minority stake in Vitoria S.C. of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and has partnerships with a network of clubs including Real Union from Spain, Egyptian Premier League side, ZED FC and the recently crowned Japanese J1 League champions, Vissel Kobe.

[ChicagoLion]

This is big news.

[OCD]

What do we think are possible ramifications? Does it allow us to invest more over the next couple of windows?

[chrisw1]

What do we think are possible ramifications? Does it allow us to invest more over the next couple of windows?

I think our investment in players is only limited by FFP, so can't see that changing.

[OCD]

Didn't know whether outside investment affected FFP (for the better)?

[Drummond]

There are clearly big intentions for our club.

[Gareth]

Might this help the club improve its commercial side that in the long run will help with FFP?? Hoping this investment firm has money in companies to help boot out BK8 :-)

[PeterWithe]

In the scale of things, for an investment firm like this, is $6.5 billion a lot?

[PeterWithe]

I note from their website that they used to fund Spectra, so they have experience of working with those planning world domination.

[Risso]

Didn't know whether outside investment affected FFP (for the better)?

It doesn't make any difference.

It seems a bit odd to me. Usually with firms like that, they provide capital in exchange for equity in the business. They then hope that the business increases in value, and they profit from any future sale. I can't see Nas and Wes wanting to sell in the near future, (hope not anyway) so a bit difficult to see what's in it for Atairos in the short term. Football clubs aren't known for their big profits usually, so I can't see that they're goig to get much from the usual business activities of the V Sports group.

[PeterWithe]

It does read as strange, they are investing but wont get any shares. So what do they get?

[AV82EC]

Didn't know whether outside investment affected FFP (for the better)?

It doesn't make any difference.

It seems a bit odd to me. Usually with firms like that, they provide capital in exchange for equity in the business. They then hope that the business increases in value, and they profit from any future sale. I can't see Nas and Wes wanting to sell in the near future, (hope not anyway) so a bit difficult to see what's in it for Atairos in the short term. Football clubs aren't known for their big profits usually, so I can't see that they're goig to get much from the usual business activities of the V Sports group.

Being Used as a source of funding for capital projects and it’s nothing more sinister than that? Though it seems a bit odd as I’m sure the investments in North Stand/Brookvale etc are just loose change to Naseef and Wes. Oh well we’ll see.

[Risso]

It does read as strange, they are investing but wont get any shares. So what do they get?

It's vague wording, deliberately perhaps. V Sports will still own 100% of Aston Villa, but will V Sports be owned 100% by Nas and Wes? I suspect not.

[Drummond]

Didn't know whether outside investment affected FFP (for the better)?

It doesn't make any difference.

It seems a bit odd to me. Usually with firms like that, they provide capital in exchange for equity in the business. They then hope that the business increases in value, and they profit from any future sale. I can't see Nas and Wes wanting to sell in the near future, (hope not anyway) so a bit difficult to see what's in it for Atairos in the short term. Football clubs aren't known for their big profits usually, so I can't see that they're goig to get much from the usual business activities of the V Sports group.

I guess they can invest, grow the value and sell their share?

[jon collett]

It does read as strange, they are investing but wont get any shares. So what do they get?

It's vague wording, deliberately perhaps. V Sports will still own 100% of Aston Villa, but will V Sports be owned 100% by Nas and Wes? I suspect not.

yep minority partner in v sports.

Does "growth and infrastructure" suggest this is about building the new stand?