Tech entrepreneur Victoire Cogevina Reynal plans to start buying controlling stakes in women’s football clubs, people with knowledge of the matter said, in what would be one of the first dedicated examples of multiclub ownership outside the men’s game.
Her new company Mercury 13, named after a group of female pilots who weren’t allowed to join NASA’s astronaut program because of their gender, is raising an initial $100 million for its first deals, according to the people. Mercury 13 is targeting professional women’s teams in Europe and Latin America, some of which are owned and managed by their corresponding men’s organizations, one of the people said.
It’s close to announcing an acquisition in England and is in advanced negotiations for potential deals in Spain and Italy, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Cogevina Reynal and a representative for Mercury 13 declined to comment.
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