The number of football clubs that are part of multi-club ownership groups has increased fivefold over the last eight years, posing serious challenges for the sport’s governing bodies, a new report by SportBusiness in collaboration with CIES Sports Intelligence reveals.
Since 2015, the number of clubs that are part of MCO groups has risen from 62 to 301. In the last two years alone, the amount has increased by almost 40%.
The number of MCO groups, meanwhile, has more than doubled since 2018 from 58 to 124. Of the 124 groups, 65% own two clubs while 6% own six more clubs.
Almost one third of MCO groups are from North America and the proportion is growing.
Rise of multi-club ownership, 2012-23
| Year | MCO groups | Clubs in MCO groups |
| 2012 | 18 | 40 |
| 2015 | 25 | 62 |
| 2018 | 58 | 128 |
| 2021 | 94 | 216 |
| 2023 | 124 | 301 |
As the report highlights, the rapid growth of multi-club ownership raises questions about sporting integrity – football’s fundamental principle – and financial fair play regulations.
Uefa, European football’s governing body, faces particularly pressing challenges.
Of the 301 clubs now part of MCO groups, 197 are based in Europe and 97 play in Europe’s top leagues – meaning they are able to qualify for Uefa club competitions.
From the 2024-25 season, the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League will move to the ‘Swiss model’, with all teams competing in a single league phase.
As a result, every match stands to impact all teams and integrity concerns will no longer be limited to situations where clubs from the same MCO group are drawn against each other; two clubs from the same group simply qualifying for the competitions will be contentious.
Comment
Frank Dunne, SportBusiness Editor-at-Large, said: “The number of football clubs that are part of multi-club ownership groups is growing exponentially.
“The multi-club model creates many network benefits that each member club can tap into to improve performance on and off the field. But the model is throwing up major issues of football governance, from integrity to financial fair play. It is also increasingly leading to tensions between clubs in MCO groups and clubs that aren’t.
“The growth of MCO appears unstoppable. For its advocates, it is the future of football. But this growth looks set to be steeped in conflict and controversy. SportBusiness, in collaboration with CIES Sports Intelligence, has created the most in-depth report ever published on the phenomenon.”
Notes to editors
- If you wish to publish the information contained in this press release, please credit “SportBusiness in collaboration with CIES Sports Intelligence”.
- Multi-Club Ownership: The Unproven Concept Transforming Football is available to buy now for £1,495. To download the executive summary, click here.
- 2023 data includes deals subject to approval.
Press contact
Joseph Perry
Email: joseph.perry@sportbusiness.com
Alternative email: press@sportbusiness.com
About SportBusiness
SportBusiness works with sports organisations around the world to provide them with the intelligence they need to unlock value and grow their businesses.
Over the last 25 years, we have earned the trust of a wide range of stakeholders in the sports industry. Teams, franchises, leagues, tournaments, sponsors, broadcast companies, agencies, venues, financial institutions and universities have come to rely on the depth, accuracy and credibility of our information, data and analysis.
Our key products are SportBusiness Media, the most trusted independent source of media rights values and deals globally, SportBusiness Sponsorship, a leading source of global sponsorship deal data and activation studies, and SportBusiness, our daily news, insights, and analysis service for globally-minded professionals in the industry.
In addition to our subscription services, we published stand-alone reports on trends in the industry as well as customised insights for individual clients.
Alongside our products and reporting, SportBusiness Insights provides commercial due diligence, advice, and solutions to help our clients develop their businesses.
Based in London, with offices in Miami, Dubai and Singapore, SportBusiness is part of the Silva International Investments portfolio in sports, media and entertainment.
About CIES Sports Intelligence
The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) offers research-based solutions and top educational programmes in the world of sports. CIES’s research activities, consisting of both pure and applied research, cover a wide range of areas and disciplines.
CIES Sports Intelligence is a research and analysis division of CIES specialised in sports governance, policy and regulations. Through the combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses, CIES Sports Intelligence conducts fact-based studies that help sports organisations assess their structures and frameworks and, ultimately, inform their decision-making processes.
Over the years, CIES Sports Intelligence has undertaken research projects for a range of international sports organisations. In addition, it has become an established source of sports management insights through the publication of specialised reports and analyses.
By focusing on the dissemination of research and knowledge, CIES Sports Intelligence’s ultimate goal is to support stakeholders in the implementation of strategic decisions based on data and information and promote the development of best governance and management practices across the sports industry.