Atletico de Madrid Valued at €2.5 Billion in Potential Apollo Takeover.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: Atletico de Madrid

The owners of Atletico de Madrid are in advanced negotiations to sell a majority stake in the Spanish football club to Apollo Global Management, according to multiple sources cited by Reuters. The potential deal would mark one of the most significant private equity moves into European football to date.

Structure of the Proposed Deal Atletico de Madrid Apollo

Sources told Reuters that Apollo could take control of Atletico by purchasing shares from the club’s CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and chairman Enrique Cerezo, as well as from existing investor Ares Management. While Apollo may not immediately secure majority ownership, it is expected to do so in a later phase of the transaction.

Atletico’s current ownership structure consists of around 70% held through Atletico Holco, a vehicle controlled by Gil Marín, Cerezo, and Ares, with the remaining shares belonging to Quantum Pacific, an energy and shipping group. Representatives of the key shareholders have so far declined to comment.

Valuation and Exclusivity

Spanish outlet Expansión reported that talks center on a valuation of around €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) for the club. Apollo reportedly holds a three-month exclusivity period, set to expire in mid-October, during which it can finalise terms of investment.

According to the report, Atletico de Madrid has identified the need for a capital increase of at least €60 million to strengthen the squad and to fund new sport and leisure projects around the Metropolitano Stadium. The club has stated that new partners will be required to provide such investment.

Private Equity in Football

A deal would represent the latest expansion of private equity into global sport, where investors are attracted by stable cash flows and growing media rights revenues. Apollo, which manages over $800 billion in assets, is preparing a $5 billion sports investment vehicle, according to earlier reports in the Financial Times.

The trend reflects broader growth across the industry. PwC projects the global sports sponsorship market to reach $115 billion in 2025, with expectations to surpass $160 billion by 2030.