V Sports Announces Investment from Atairos

[CT Villan]

Sounds like a funding round, giving a few shares in V Sports (excluding anything Villa) to a VC company in exchange for a bit of cash. Be interesting to find out the valuation. Seems strange given how loaded our owners are, maybe they don't have a lot of liquid assets, don't think it's bad though.

[Mister E]

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

It might do, if the infrastructure-investment were in the £00's of million or even billions. It isn't.
I wonder whether the growth in V Sports is planned with a large-club acquisition somewhere soon?

[kippaxvilla2]

Hmmm private equity.....

[paul_e]

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?

I suspect this is more about funding to expand the group and expertise to further push things on the commercial side.

[Beard82]

Can someone smarter than me tell me is this

a) good
b) bad

[Risso]

I suspect this is more about funding to expand the group and expertise to further push things on the commercial side.

The funding, sure, the expertise, no. That's not usually what PE firms do.

[LeeB]

Can someone smarter than me tell me is this

a) good
b) bad

It's probably a), but I've been reading a lot of Arthur C. Clarke of late and the title reads like we've decided to accept investment from some far off galaxy that's going to come back to haunt us at some point in the future.

[Risso]

Can someone smarter than me tell me is this

a) good
b) bad

It's probably a), but I've been reading a lot of Arthur C. Clarke of late and the title reads like we've decided to accept investment from some far off galaxy that's going to come back to haunt us at some point in the future.

I for one welcome our new alien overlords.

[pablo_picasso]

So am I correct in thinking that they are investing in V Sports & not Villa specifically?

I am an idiot when it comes to this sort of stuff.

Amongst other things...

[Risso]

So am I correct in thinking that they are investing in V Sports & not Villa specifically?

Yes. Villa's obviously by far the biggest company in the group though.

They might be looking at something like the next MLS expansion, who knows.

[Steve67]

Hmmm, just before the transfer window? Will this make a difference?

Could the question be asked at the next fans forum please?

[Sexual Ealing]

Hmmm, just before the transfer window? Will this make a difference?

Could the question be asked at the next fans forum please?

It'll be naff all to do with the transfer window.

[Beard82]

Maybe its as simple as Zaniolo has finally got his goal - so we know he'll now go on a "run"

So we need to buy him - and this is us getting the money to do it!

[pablo_picasso]

So am I correct in thinking that they are investing in V Sports & not Villa specifically?

Yes. Villa's obviously by far the biggest company in the group though.

They might be looking at something like the next MLS expansion, who knows.

Yeah, a new club in the states or a purchase of another club somewhere like China, etc, to give us a presence in one of those areas could be a good thing for attracting new customers...

[Nev]

I'm completely fucking baffled.


Anyone fancy a pint?