Northridge advises on investment in Aston Villa Women

Northridge advised V Sports, the ultimate parent company of Aston Villa Women, on the minority investment into the football club by Marc Zahr, who will soon join the club’s board of directors. Zahr is co-president of investment firm Blue Owl Capital Inc. and is a member of the company’s board of directors.

This deal builds on Northridge’s market-leading experience acting on acquisitions and investments in football. In particular, Northridge has acted on most of the recent transactions changing the landscape of European women’s football including advising:

Mercury13 on its investment in Bristol City Women;
Michele Kang on the creation of the world’s first women’s football multi-club ownership structure, including taking control of Champions League winning OL Lyonnes and her acquisition of London City Lionesses (now promoted to WSL1); and
The FA on the transfer of the ownership and operation of the WSL to a new independent company.

Nassef Sawiris, Aston Villa Chairman, said: “This investment is a testament to the potential of Aston Villa Women and underscores the belief in the WSL’s trajectory. Marc brings a wealth of experience to the football club and we are excited for him to be a part of our continued growth on and off the pitch.”

The Northridge team included: Ian Lynam, Victoria Scopes, Kingsley Boateng, Anna Corderoy and Alex Gibson.