Richest Football Club Owners in the World – Football, or soccer as it is known in some parts of the world, has become a multi-billion dollar industry. As the sport has grown commercially, many of the biggest clubs have come under the ownership of some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and organizations. These billionaire owners have invested astronomical sums into their teams, changing the landscape of the sport with record-breaking transfers and wages. This article looks at 8 of the richest football club owners.
1. Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund – Newcastle United ($320 billion)
Topping the list is the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund owned by the Saudi government, which has assets of over $320 billion. In 2021, the fund completed its controversial £300 million purchase of Newcastle United. This investment has made Newcastle the richest football club in the world based on the wealth of its owners. With the resources available, Newcastle will likely become a major force in English and European football over the coming years.
2. Qatar Investment Authority – Paris Saint-Germain ($220 billion)
Since acquiring Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, the Qatar Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund has spent over €1 billion transforming them into the dominant force in French football. Backed by assets of $220 billion, they have bankrolled the transfers of Neymar and Mbappé. PSG have won 9 Ligue 1 titles under Qatari ownership, though they still seek an elusive Champions League trophy.
3. François-Henri Pinault – Stade Rennais ($31.6 billion)
François-Henri Pinault is the billionaire CEO of luxury group Kering, which owns brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent. Pinault has a personal fortune estimated at $31.6 billion. Since 1998, his family has owned the French club Stade Rennais. Under their ownership, Rennes have become an established Ligue 1 side and won the 2019 Coupe de France.
4. Sheikh Mansour – Manchester City ($30 billion)
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the Abu Dhabi royal family has transformed Manchester City since he acquired the club in 2008. With a personal net worth estimated at $30 billion, Sheikh Mansour has spent over $1 billion to turn City into one of the best teams in England and Europe. Under his ownership, City has won 7 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League, 3 FA Cups and 6 League Cups.
5. Dietrich Mateschitz – Red Bull Teams ($20.7 billion)
Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz is the owner of the Red Bull energy drink empire and has extended the brand into football. He owns European clubs Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, as well as MLS side New York Red Bulls. With a personal fortune of $20.7 billion, Mateschitz has used his wealth to take his clubs from the lower leagues to domestic and continental success.
6. Andrea Agnelli & family – Juventus ($19.1 billion)
Andrea Agnelli comes from the ultra-wealthy Agnelli family, heirs to the Fiat fortune, with a net worth estimated at $19.1 billion. As chairman of Juventus FC, Agnelli has firmly established the Turin side as the dominant force in Italian football. Under his leadership, Juventus won 9 consecutive Serie A titles from 2012 to 2020.
7. Jim Ratcliffe – OGC Nice ($18 billion)
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is the owner of chemical giant Ineos and has an estimated net worth of $18 billion. In 2019, he purchased the French club OGC Nice, immersing himself in the sport. Ratcliffe has grand plans to take Nice to the top of French and European football .Given his wealth and ambitions, Nice could soon compete with PSG domestically.
8. Dietmar Hopp – Hoffenheim ($13 billion)
German software billionaire Dietmar Hopp has used his $13 billion fortune to transform the tiny village team of Hoffenheim into a Bundesliga club.Thanks to substantial investment from Hopp, Hoffenheim achieved promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2008, where they have remained since, even qualifying for the Champions League.
