Former Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has reaffirmed his ambition to own a football club after launching a new sports investment fund in partnership with American private equity firm Juggernaut Capital.
The new fund will target investment opportunities across men’s and women’s sports teams and leagues, with Bale indicating that a future bid for his hometown club, Cardiff City, remains a possibility.
Bale was part of an investment group that attempted to acquire Cardiff City last summer, but the proposal was rejected by club owner Vincent Tan. Despite the setback, the former footballer said Cardiff is “not off the table” as he and his partners take a patient approach to identifying the right investment opportunity.
Speaking to Front Office Sports, Bale said the strategy is focused on finding the right club and growth opportunity rather than rushing into a deal. While he acknowledged his emotional connection to Cardiff City, he stressed that any acquisition must make sense from a business perspective.
Bale said potential investments must be evaluated with a long-term growth mindset rather than as vanity projects, emphasizing the importance of engaging with fans and local communities while building sustainable success.
Since retiring from professional football in January 2023, shortly after representing Wales at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bale has remained active as a television pundit and avid golfer. His latest venture marks his formal entry into sports investing alongside private equity capital, reflecting a broader trend of athletes increasingly participating in sports ownership and investment platforms.
Source: BBC