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Soccer club Valencia says group backed by KKR founders buys 42% stake - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Soccer club Valencia says group backed by KKR founders buys 42% stake

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 23, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Valencia CF Sells 42% Stake to KKR-Backed Group in €1.25 Billion Deal

Major Investment Reshapes Valencia CF Ownership Structure

By Yantoultra Ngui

Details of the Stake Sale

HONG KONG, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Spanish soccer club Valencia CF said on Friday an investment group backed by KKR co-founders George Roberts and Henry Kravis would buy a 42% stake in the club in a deal valuing it at €1.25 billion ($1.4 billion) including debt.

About Pitchwise Holdings

Pitchwise Holdings, a consortium of family offices and long-term institutional investors led by sports executives Ann Rodriguez and Corey Woolfolk, will acquire the shares from majority owner Meriton Holdings, Valencia said.

Investment Injection and Deal Conditions

The investors will also inject €100 million into the club, Valencia said, adding that the deal remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Ownership and Leadership Changes

Meriton will retain a majority stake, while Kiat Lim will remain president. Rodriguez and Woolfolk will join Lim in a new ownership group, Valencia said.

Trends in Sports Franchise Investments

The deal comes as wealthy families and institutional investors increasingly seek exposure to sports franchises, attracted by their global audiences, media rights and commercial growth potential.

Key Backers and Related Holdings

Pitchwise's backers include Roberts and Kravis, co-founders and co-executive chairmen of KKR, the global investment firm, as well as Penner Sports Group, the Denver-based sports and entertainment holding company founded by Greg and Carrie Penner.

Penner Sports Group's holdings include the NFL's Denver Broncos and a minority stake in Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, Valencia said.

Valencia's Future and Stadium Projects

Lim said Pitchwise was selected from several interested parties because of its "long-term investment expertise and sports acumen".

Valencia said the valuation reflects its men's and women's teams, the 49,000-seat Mestalla stadium and the Nou Mestalla project, which is expected to have capacity for more than 70,000 fans.

The new ownership group will oversee the club's move to the Nou Mestalla stadium, which Valencia described as its most significant milestone in 100 years.

Additional Information

($1 = 0.8937 euros)

(Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Alexander Smith and Mark Potter)

Key Takeaways

  • Pitchwise Holdings, led by Ann Rodriguez and Corey Woolfolk, is backed by KKR co‑founders Roberts and Kravis, plus Penner Sports Group, and will acquire 42% of Valencia CF from Meriton Holdings at a valuation of €1.25 billion, including debt, and inject €100 million into the club (cadenaser.com).
  • Meriton Holdings, majority owner under Peter Lim’s control since 2014, will retain a majority stake and Kiat Lim will continue as president; Rodriguez and Woolfolk will join the leadership team (fichajes.net).
  • The valuation includes Valencia’s men’s and women’s teams, the current Mestalla stadium (capacity ~49,000), and the Nou Mestalla project (planned capacity over 70,000) — the club’s move to the new stadium is deemed its most significant milestone in 100 years (cadenaser.com).
  • Penner Sports Group—based in Denver and owners of the NFL’s Denver Broncos—are expanding their sports investments; earlier in April 2026 they became the largest minority owners in MLB’s Colorado Rockies with a 40% stake (espndeportes.espn.com).
  • The deal reflects growing interest from private equity and wealth groups in sports franchises due to their global reach, media rights, and commercial upside—a trend spanning soccer to U.S. pro leagues (as.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is acquiring a stake in Valencia CF?
Pitchwise Holdings, backed by KKR co-founders and other investors, is acquiring a 42% stake in Valencia CF.
How much is Valencia CF valued at in this deal?
Valencia CF is valued at €1.25 billion ($1.4 billion), including debt.
Who remains the majority owner of Valencia CF?
Meriton Holdings will retain the majority stake in the club.
What additional investment will the new group provide?
The investment group will inject €100 million into Valencia CF.
What is the significance of the Nou Mestalla project for Valencia CF?
The new ownership group will oversee the move to Nou Mestalla stadium, a key milestone in the club’s history.

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