The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States have confirmed that Eagle Football Group, the owners of French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, have sold their stake in the women’s football club Seattle Reign FC.
The deal, which had been in the works for several weeks, was officially announced: “Eagle Football Group signed an agreement on Monday to transfer 97% of the shares of Seattle Reign FC to the parent company of Seattle Sounders FC, Carlyle Global Investments.”
This transaction follows a series of deals between the two entities on March 18, which were approved by both the NWSL and MLS. The sale price was reported to be €54 million. Eagle Football Group cited a focus on “men’s football” as the reason for divesting in the women’s club.
The group still holds stakes in various football clubs, including Brazil’s Botafogo, Belgian second-tier team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, and English league club Crystal Palace, based in London. Additionally, Eagle Football Group has investments in youth academies around the world, such as the one in Florida, USA.