The Florida Financiers Buying Up Europe’s Football Teams

Wealthy Americans train sights on world’s favorite sport
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor completes Belgium buy

Chien Lee and Paul Conway during a match between AS Monaco and OGC Nice, in Monaco, in 2018. Photographer: Pascal Dellazuana/Icon Sport/Getty Images

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By David Hellier

January 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM UTC

Corrected

March 24, 2022 at 9:44 AM UTC

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European soccer ownership is today just as likely to be thrashed out at a Miami Beach steakhouse as in the plush restaurants of London, Milan or Paris.

Florida’s sunshine and business-friendly policies have been drawing financiers and entrepreneurs, including a group pouring money into the world’s favorite sport. Among them is John Textor, who’s just completed the purchase of 80% of Belgian club RWD Molenbeek through his sports investment vehicle Eagle Football LLC.