Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has expanded his investment portfolio by becoming a part-owner of French Ligue 2 club Le Mans FC. The announcement, made on Friday, sees Djokovic joining forces with other high-profile names from the world of sports, including former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen.
This new ownership stake is part of a larger investment led by OutField, a Brazilian consortium with experience in sports management, particularly with the club Coritiba. Georgios Frangulis, CEO of the global health-food brand OakBerry and boyfriend of tennis star Arina Sabalenka, is also a key figure in this investment group.
Le Mans FC, in an official statement, highlighted the unique value each investor brings to the table. The club recognized Djokovic as "the most successful player in history, whose mental strength and unique approach will bring considerable added value". Massa, with 15 seasons in Formula 1, and Magnussen, with 10 seasons, "will help create a bridge between football and motorsport – a distinctive strength of the Le Mans brand". Massa expressed his passion for football and the strong connection between Le Mans FC and motorsport as key reasons for his investment. He also noted his respect for Djokovic and Magnussen, further solidifying his commitment to the project. Frangulis stated that the group wants to help grow the city's brand and sporting heritage, emphasizing the unique sense of belonging the club can offer.
Le Mans is a city known for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a world-famous endurance car race that has been held for over a century. The club hopes to capitalize on this connection between football and motorsport with its new ownership group.
Le Mans FC has a history in the top tier of French football, having competed in Ligue 1 between 2004 and 2011. However, the club faced financial difficulties and was liquidated in 2013, forcing them to rebuild from the ground up. In the past 10 years, the team has achieved four promotions and will be competing in Ligue 2 next season. The ultimate goal of the new investment is to help Le Mans continue its rise through the divisions and eventually return to Ligue 1.
This partnership marks a new chapter in the history of Le Mans FC. The club aims to grow sustainably and become a source of pride for the people of Le Mans, building on the city's rich sporting heritage. The new owners hope to leverage their experience and expertise to achieve success both on and off the pitch. Le Mans FC is scheduled to begin their Ligue 2 campaign on August 9 with an away game against Guingamp.
