⚽ Wall Street Bends It Like Beckham In European Soccer

In today’s newsletter I discuss how Wall Street is bending it like Beckham In European soccer, Google announces their new AI-powered Google Pixel 10, there’s a new Battlestar Galactica game dropping on Steam in 2026, Claire’s sells most of its stores to private equity while in bankruptcy, Taylor Swift’s family negotiated the deal to buy back her masters, and the NFL and Microsoft extended their Microsoft Surface partnership.

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⚽ Wall Street Bends It Like Beckham In European Soccer

These days you can't look at European soccer without seeing American money. It's a fundamental change, it happened fast, and you can’t unsee it. Private equity now accounts for the majority of all foreign investment in European soccer between 2019 and 2023. Out of all that cash, American investors have put in close to 90% of it. This isn't just a few big deals either. It's a full scale takeover of European clubs. In the English Premier League, as of the 2025/26 season, ten out of the 20 clubs are now majority owned by Americans. In Italy's Serie A, there are nine clubs owned or co-owned by American and Canadian shareholders. The money is flowing in fast, and it’s changing European soccer forever.

A big reason for this is skyrocketing valuations. These investors are getting in because they can see the potential for a massive payout down the road. The consulting company Deloitte has confirmed that the top five European leagues brought in a combined $23.7 billion dollars in revenue from 2023 to 2024. That’s an enormous jump from the $2.90 billion dollars in revenue from the 1996 to 1997 season. Just look at the Manchester United football club. When the American Glazer family bought it back in 2005 for around $1.07 billion dollars, people thought they were crazy. Then in 2024 a minority stake was sold to Sir Jim Ratcliffe valuing the entire club at roughly $6.55 billion dollars, representing a 512.15% increase in value in only 19 years. That is the kind of return on investment that gets Wall Street's attention.

The financial growth of the leagues themselves is also a major draw. The Premier League’s international and domestic broadcast package alone is valued at $5.1 billion dollars a season. Commercial revenue was up 6% in the 2023 to 2024 season, with the top 20 teams earning more than $8.5 billion dollars in commercial revenue combined. This financial success has led to a surge in mergers and acquisitions. Deal activity in European soccer climbed from approximately $77.8 million dollars in 2018 to nearly $2.56 billion dollars in 2024, an increase of 3190.49%

Many of these American investors are also adopting a multi-club ownership model, where one group holds stakes in multiple teams across different leagues. This strategy is meant to create brand synergies and player development integration. American businessman John Textor, who holds stakes in both the English club Crystal Palace and France's Lyon, is a great example. The International Centre for Sports Studies reported that 78 multi-club ownership investments were finalized between 2019 and 2023. It might sound great in a boardroom meeting, but it hasn’t been easy. UEFA recently ruled that because of the ownership ties, Crystal Palace couldn’t play in the Europa League. It's a perfect example of what can happen when you try to apply an American franchise model to European soccer. It’s not just the culture that’s different….so are the rules.

So what's the end game? It's not really about winning trophies, at least not for most of these investors. It's about turning a soccer club into a global business, and squeezing every bit of profit and value out of. Is that cold hearted, and missing the whole point of watching what some have called the “most beautiful game?”

Yes, without a doubt.

But it's about more than just TV rights, ticket sales, and who has the biggest valuation. These investors want to turn the stadiums into venues for big concerts and commercial events. They want to sell more jerseys, and turn athletes into brands. It's about taking the cultural institution of European soccer, and turning it into a financial asset. It is a new world for European soccer, and the numbers make it clear that there's no going back.

💳 Business

Bankrupt mall staple Claire's has reached an agreement to sell most of its North American business to private equity firm Ames Watson in a deal that values the company $104 million dollars in cash with the assumption of a $36 million dollar seller’s note. This will allow the company, led by CEO Chris Cramer, to preserve up to 950 stores in the U.S. and Canada, which is great news for all those little kids lining up at the mall to get their ears pierced.

🎤 Entertainment

Taylor Swift sent her mother, Andrea Swift, and her brother, Austin Swift, to negotiate the purchase of her master recordings from Shamrock Capital in a $360 million dollars. Taylor Swift made the announcement in May 2025 and shared the story on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast. How cute!

📞 Tech

Google just announced they are launching their new AI-powered Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL on August 28, 2025. I've been holding out on my trusty old Pixel 5 for years, waiting for the one phone that would make all the drama of upgrading worth it, and the new Google AI-powered Pixel 10 is finally that phone! The new Pixel 10 includes features like the new Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano for on-device AI. The new Pixel 10 base model is priced at $799 dollars, and is the perfect reason for me to finally upgrade and join the 2020’s.

🎮 Gaming

Get ready, Battlestar Galactica fans! The fate of humanity is in your hands with the brand new tactical story driven video game, Scattered Hopes. This thrilling collaboration between developer Alt Shift, publisher Dotemu, and Universal Products & Experiences will challenge you to command a desperate fleet against the relentless Cylon menace when it arrives on PCs in early 2026.

I’m a huge fanboy of BSG, and can’t wait to give this game a shot. I even signed up for and downloaded Steam for the first time. So if this helps bring more casual gamers like myself to the Steam platform then the world of gaming is better of.

Because who needs a calm day when you can fight for humanity's very existence….in a game.

🏈 Sports

The NFL and Microsoft just announced a multiyear extension of their partnership to infuse Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI across the league's operations. This includes upgrading the Sideline Viewing System with more than 2,500 Microsoft Surface Copilot+ PCs for all 32 NFL teams, servicing roughly 1,800 players, and over 1,000 coaches. In an interview with NFL CIO Gary Brantley, he said the use of AI will enhance scouting and game day operations. That’s great news for fans who like to know exactly how much data went into a coach's questionable fourth down decision.

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irl Media NEWSLETTER is written, edited, and published by Chris Thompson.