Apollo Global Management becomes majority shareholder at Atletico de Madrid
The investment, reportedly valuing the La Liga club at around €2 billion, keeps long-time CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and President Enrique Cerezo in position for the time being.
Gil Marín called Apollo “a great ally that respects Atlético’s traditions and identity,” emphasising that the deal brings fresh resources for the club to stay competitive.
Apollo’s Robert Givone praised Marín’s leadership and said the investment supports “the continuity of his vision and the local community.”
Atlético see this moment as an opportunity to disrupt the Real Madrid/Barcelona hegemony and utilise fresh streams of capital to attract the world’s best players to the Metropolitano.
Long seen as the determined underdog, the club will now have the financial muscle to strengthen their squad, facilities, and global marketing.
With the average National Football League (NFL) franchise valued at $7.1 billion, US investors are looking at European soccer clubs as a bargain, and believe they are easier to monetise worldwide.
Without a major trophy for almost five years now, Atletico represent a sizeable gamble for Apollo, and the pressure on long-time boss Simeone for results will certainly be ramped up as he enters his 14th year of management in the red half of Madrid.
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