Dmitry Rybolovlev Mulls Irresistible AS Monaco Stake Sale 2024

Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian oligarch who owns 66.7% of FC Monaco, may decide to sell the team given the interest shown by American investors.

Since 2011, Rybolovlev has held the majority ownership of Monaco. Following a report by Les Echos newspaper stating that the fertilizer tycoon was considering selling the club and had tasked The Raine Group with overseeing a complete or partial divestment initiative, a spokesperson from Rybolovlev’s family office verified the decision.

Dmitry Rybolovlev Contemplates AS Monaco Stake Sale

According to the newspaper, Rybolovlev had no intention of selling the team, but that all changed last year when he received at least two offers from American investors who wanted to buy European football and thought Monaco would be a great place to begin their sports investment journey.

Dmitry reportedly decided against selling the club because of the “quite good” offers. Les Echos claims that the oligarch is now prepared to think about a sale.

The potential for FC ownership to change was also mentioned by the Italian media outlet Foot Mercato. The Russian oligarch had Raine Group work exclusively as his financial advisor to assess and approve the deal, the media outlet reported.

In 2022, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich sold his Chelsea football club, based in London, to American businessman Todd Boehly with the help of Raine Group. In addition, the Glazer family was informed by Raine Group in December 2023 when it sold Jim Ratcliffe a 25% share in Manchester United.

The Russian news agency RBC, which is aligned with the Kremlin, was informed by a representative of Rybolovlev’s family office that “the owners of Monaco have decided to commence the process of exploring strategic opportunities for their stake in the club.”

“The shareholder’s inquiries from possibly interested parties led to the adoption of the decision. Financial advice is currently being provided on the matter by Raine Group, according to the statement.

Les Echos, however, claims that this information does not imply that the club will be sold for sure.

According to the newspaper, since Rybolovlev’s Monaco Sport Invest company owns 66.7% of the football club’s shares and the Prince of Monaco holds the remaining stake, the deal will only go through if a potential buyer has the backing of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

By the end of the season, a decision will be made regarding the club’s sale. If it changes ownership, the new owners will have access to the transfer market during the summer transfer window.

Rybolovlev’s net worth is estimated to be US$6.4 billion by Forbes Russia. At a time when club was in financial trouble and had been demoted from the top division, he purchased the team for just €1. December 2011 saw Monaco taken over by Monaco Sport Invest. The company was to give the club at least €100 million over the following four years, according to the agreement.

Club has participated in three Cup finals and won the French championship once in the twelve years since the ownership change. In European competitions, the club’s greatest accomplishment was qualifying for the Champions League semifinals in 2017.

Dmitry left Russia more than ten years ago, making him one of the few Russian oligarchs not currently subject to Western sanctions, according to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention of Ukraine. Sanctions only apply to him in Ukraine.

Summary

• Dmitry a Russian oligarch who owns 66.7% of FC Monaco, may consider selling the team due to interest from American investors.
• Rybolovlev initially had no intention of selling the club but received two offers from American investors who wanted to buy European football.
• Despite the “quite good” offers, Dmitry decided against selling the club.
• Italian media outlet Foot Mercato mentions the potential for FC Monaco’s ownership to change.
• Financial advisor, Raine Group, is currently providing financial advice on the deal.
• The deal will only proceed if a potential buyer has the backing of Prince Albert II of Monaco.
• A decision on the club’s sale will be made by the end of the season.
• His net worth is estimated to be US$6.4 billion.
• Monaco has participated in three Cup finals and won the French championship once in the twelve years since ownership change.
• He is one of the few Russian oligarchs not currently subject to Western sanctions, only applicable to him in Ukraine.