QSI confirm Arctos investment in PSG

Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and Arctos Partners (Arctos) have announced a landmark strategic partnership and investment deal that will see Arctos acquire a minority common equity stake in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the most successful football club in France and one of the leading football and multi-sports brands in the world.

The partnership will form the foundation of the next phase of PSG’s global growth and drive forward the Club’s footballing and business success. The investment from Arctos will go towards growing PSG’s operations and also supporting the Club’s strategic real estate initiatives, including relating to its stadium and the future development phases of PSG’s world-leading training centre at Poissy in suburban Paris.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the French league club. Arctos will own up to 12.5% of the club, valuing PSG at between 4 billion euros ($4.32 billion) and 4.25 billion euros, two people familiar with the deal who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press.

The French league champion said Arctos’ investment will go toward growing PSG operations “into new markets, including North America” and supporting plans to develop its stadium and training center. The city of Paris owns the 48,000-seat Parc des Princes stadium where PSG plays.

For QSI, as well as introducing a leading strategic partner and bringing new investment to take the Club to the next level, the transaction with Arctos crystalises the incredible growth and value appreciation of PSG under QSI’s decade-plus custodianship, setting a new benchmark in European football.

Since acquiring the Club in 2011, PSG has won 30 men’s football trophies and last year won a record 11thFrench Ligue 1 title. In total, the Club has won 48 trophies since its formation in 1970. Today, PSG is a forward-thinking, innovative, diverse and enormously ambitious Club, with football at its heart, which has also added an e-sports team to its men’s, women’s and youth football teams, alongside its leading handball and judo teams.

As a non-controlling owner, Arctos will not influence any on-field sporting matters. QSI will continue to have full control of all decisions at PSG.

Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments, said:“We are delighted to welcome Arctos into the Paris Saint-Germain family as a strategic partner and investor. As a Club and institution, we are entering the next exciting phase of PSG’s growth and development, both on and off the pitch – which is based on long-term ambitions and attaining excellence in everything we do. Arctos is a fantastic partner to help us achieve our goals, bringing strategic expertise, ideas and innovation to our business, while providing investment and new relationships to support our footballing and sporting goals. From day one, they have passionately believed in our project, our plan and vision for the Club – and we are proud to have them as part of our family. Today is an important milestone in Paris Saint Germain’s history, which will contribute greatly to the continued success and growth of our great Club.”