Man City Adds J-league Side To Global Portfolio
Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City have expanded their portfolio of clubs around the world after securing an ownership stake in Japanese J-League team Yokohama F Marinos.
The three-time J-League champions will join the ‘family’ of clubs already working with City, including New York City FC, who will debut in the MLS next year in partnership with the New York Yankees, and Australian A-League side Melbourne Heart.
The deal sees City Football Group (CFG) acquire an undisclosed minority shareholding in the club from majority owner Nissan Motor Company – the first significant foreign investment in a J-League soccer team.
According to Nissan, the Marinos will gain access to a host of CFG resources, including training methods, medical care, sports science, management practices.
Carlos Ghosn, the Nissan president and chief executive, said: ‘The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with a rich history which has grown hand in hand with Nissan.’
‘Together we see opportunities that CFG’s global soccer infrastructure will bring to the club and the excitement it will bring to the fans. This partnership will contribute to the growth of the club, the club’s hometown and Japanese soccer.’
Ferran Soriano, chief executive of Manchester City FC and of City Football Group, added: ‘We’re thrilled to be able to play a role in investing and building on the ongoing success of YF Marinos.’
‘We are proud to offer a collaborative and integrated approach to the football, marketing, media and commercial development of all the clubs in the City family. At the same time, we are proud that each of our clubs is firmly rooted and invested in its local community as well as connected and engaged with its supporter base. We are very much looking forward to starting our collaboration.’
