Marcelo Claure, a Belgian-American businessman and tech entrepreneur, recently became a stakeholder in New York City FC. This move into the American side of the beautiful game has come somewhat out of the blue and is not one that even the biggest fans of online casino UK could have seen coming.
Claure's investment is directed towards City Football Group’s US division, City Football Group US Holdco LLC. His stake amounts to approximately 20% of the company’s post-investment value. This strategic move has also led to his appointment as Co-Vice Chairman of New York City FC.
The shares held by Claure will sit alongside those owned by two founding shareholders - The City Football Group and Yankees Global Enterprises. These entities hold 80% and 10% stakes respectively, with Yankees Global Enterprises having previously held a 20% share.
New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman, Marcelo Claure, said:
“I am thrilled to join New York City FC at such an exciting time for soccer in the U.S. With the Club World Cup in 2025 and the World Cup in 2026 on the horizon, I believe MLS has unmatched potential."
“Partnering with City Football Group and the Yankees, two of the most respected sports organisations in the world, is an incredible opportunity."
“New York City is the greatest and most diverse city in the world. For many immigrant communities, soccer is their top sport, and their passion will only grow as we build a new stadium.”
Claure's investment comes at an important juncture both for NYCFC and football in America. Major League Soccer (MLS) is experiencing growing viewership numbers while major overseas leagues such as the English Premier League and Italian Serie A are aiming to increase their presence on American soil.
This growth trajectory is expected to surge further when FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place in the United States, co-hosted with Mexico and Canada. MetLife Stadium, located within the New York metropolitan area, will be one of the host venues.
In addition to this global event, NYCFC itself is set to reach a landmark moment when its new stadium opens just a year after the World Cup tournament concludes. As part of his investment deal with NYCFC, Claure will also be a stakeholder in this planned venue which boasts seating capacity for 25,000 spectators.
Claure's recent investment builds upon existing relationships with UK-based City Football Group, which is majority-owned by Abu Dhabi United Group. The latter is owned by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Other stakeholders include US firm Silver Lake and Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.
Claure's involvement in football isn't new. He became an investor in Girona FC in 2020 and Club Bolivar in 2021. However, he does not hold any stakes in Manchester City, the biggest holding of the City Football Group, and this move into the US side of the game was not previously anticipated.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of City Football Group and New York City FC, said:
“We have had the pleasure of working with Marcelo closely across various City Football Group projects, and this investment continues to strengthen his commitment to the Group."
“Marcelo has an incredible passion for soccer, for MLS, and for the growth of the sport in the US. He shares our vision for the development of the game, and this partnership will be invaluable as we embark on this exciting new chapter for New York City FC, building toward playing in our own stadium in 2027.”
Marcelo Claure's investment marks a significant step forward for New York City FC and football within the United States. As a stakeholder and Co-Vice Chairman of NYCFC, his influence will likely contribute to the club's growth trajectory as well as boost football's popularity across America.
