OL Groupe: OL Reign (NWSL) to be sold to group led by the Seattle Sounders (MLS) & Carlyle for $58m

OL Groupe has signed an agreement with a consortium comprising the Seattle Sounders (MLS) and US private equity firm Carlyle for the sale of its entire stake (97% of the capital) in OL Reign (NWSL), renamed "Seattle Reign FC", announced the group that owns Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1 Uber Eats) on 18/03/2024.

The agreement, which is worth $58m (€53.6m), is due to be finalised "in early 2024", subject to the approval of the board of directors of the National Women’s Soccer League, where the women's franchise is based, and Major League Soccer, the men's league in which the Seattle Sounders play. Tony Parker, majority shareholder and president of LDLC ASVEL (Betclic Élite), will continue to own the remaining 3% of the franchise, which was acquired by OL for €3.15m in December 2019.

"This transaction is in line with the Group's strategy, in particular the refocusing on men's football announced on 25/10/2023. It should enable OL Groupe to recognise a capital gain on the sale in the 2023-24 financial statements, after deduction of current account advances committed to the club's…