A historic change in the club’s structure is emerging at Real Madrid. This move is unlikely to please every fan of the Madrid-based club.
Real Madrid is apparently facing one of the biggest structural reforms in its history.
After over 120 years as a pure members’ association, President Florentino Pérez is preparing to open the club to external investors, according to information from The Athletic .
A step that would fundamentally change the ownership structure of the Spanish record champion.
Real Madrid likely wants to open up to investors
Specifically, it is planned to split Real Madrid into two legally separate entities: a sports society, which remains owned by the members, and an economic society, in which external investors could participate.
However, such a division would be legally and fiscally complicated. An official date for the presentation of the plans has not yet been set.
Real Madrid has been fully owned by its members since its founding in 1902. Only three other Spanish clubs – FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and Osasuna – have maintained this model.
Real generates over one billion in revenue
Pérez, back in office since 2009, is considered an undisputed leadership figure. Although the Madrid-based club recently became the first club worldwide to generate over one billion euros in revenue, according to the auditing firm Deloitte, Pérez is seeking new sources of income.
During the renovation of the Bernabéu stadium, the club already brought external financiers on board: The US investors Providence and Sixth Street contributed a total of around 600 million euros. In return, they received shares in future stadium and sponsorship revenues.
However, Pérez has repeatedly emphasized that he does not want to give up control of the club.