Belgian-American businessman Marcelo Claure has become a stakeholder in New York City FC, the flagship US holding in the City Football Group’s international sports empire.
Claure has made an investment in the City Football Group US Holdco LLC, City Football Group’s US division, equivalent to around 20% of the company’s post-investment value.
This has also seen the tech entrepreneur become a Co-Vice Chairman of New York City FC, whilst his shareholding will sit alongside the clubs’ two founding shareholders.
These are the aforementioned City Football Group and Yankees Global Enterprises, the latter the owner of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB), with each holding shares of 80% and 10% respectively. Yankees Global Enterprises previously held 20%.
Claure commented: “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 joins the club at a significant time in its history, as well as at a time of significant growth for association football/soccer in the US. Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen rising viewing figures and major overseas leagues, like the English Premier League and Italian Serie A, are targeting an enhanced presence in the country.
Football will likely get an even bigger boost in the US in 2026 when the FIFA World Cup is held in the country, which is co-hosting the event alongside Mexico and Canada. New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which falls in the New York metropolitan area, is one of the host venues.
A year after the tournament, New York City FC is set to embark on a milestone moment in its own club history when its new stadium opens. Under his investment deal with the club Claure is set to be a stakeholder in the planned 25,000 seater venue.
The investment also builds on Claure’s existing relationships with UK-based City Football Group majority owned by Abu Dhabi United Group – itself owned by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan – with US firm Silver Lake and Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital holding minority stakes.
Claure became an investor in Girona FC in 2020 and Club Bolivar in 2021. However, he doesn’t have any stakes in its biggest holding, eight-time Premier League and 2022/23 Champions League champions Manchester City.
“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,” said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of City Football Group and New York City FC.
“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.”
