With the departure of Jean-Michel Aulas, formalized on Monday, the soap opera of the transfer of Olympique Lyonnais had its epilogue after more than a year of rumors, announcements with great fanfare and postponements.
March 9, 2022Pathé and the Chinese investment fund IDG Capitals (respectively 19.36% and 19.85% of the capital of OL Groupe) announce that they have hired Raine, an American investment bank specializing in media and sport “with a view to to assess their strategic and financial options regarding their respective stakes in the club.
June 20, 2022After several weeks of rumours, Holnest, the Aulas family holding company, Pathé and IDG Capitals announce that they have entered into exclusive negotiations with Eagle Football, an American holding company set up to “combine the holdings and interests of John Textor and the man of ‘Canadian Jamie Salter Affairs at World-Leading Football Clubs’. The operation, valued at approximately 800 million euros, provides for a complete sale of the stake of Pathé and IDG and a gradual liquidation of Holnest. Jean-Michel Aulas is expected to remain executive chairman for three years. In the end, Eagle Football will hold 80.13% of the capital of OL Groupe, and 88.55% taking into account the participation of Holnest. The American holding company must bring together the shares of three clubs that Textor owns in its own name – Crystal Palace (England), Botafogo (Brazil) and RWD Molenbeek (Belgium).
June 21, 2022All smiles, Jean-Michel Aulas and John Textor present their agreement in Lyon.
SEE ALSO – John Textor, owner of OL in June 2022: “There is an incredible balance here in sport and entertainment”
July 29, 2022The General Meeting of OL Groupe gives the green light to a capital increase of 86 million euros, its subscription being conditional on the effective completion of the operation led by Eagle Football. Announced closing date: September 30.
September 30, 2022 The closing date has been postponed to October 21, it will be several more times to allow Eagle Football to finalize its financial package or to obtain the green light from the Premier League.
December 5, 2022OL Groupe concedes an “ultimate deadline” to buyers: December 7. OL Groupe shares resumed trading on the Paris Stock Exchange and fell 12% at the close to 2.45 euros, a sign of investor concern, then rose as the days went by, confidence returning . OL Groupe announces a new postponement of the closing considering that there is “sufficient probability that a closing will take place quickly”. After two days of suspense, the date is set for December 19.
December 19, 2022 “It’s a great day for OL”, welcomes Jean-Michel Aulas to formalize the takeover of the club by John Textor via his holding Eagle football. “We will form an inseparable duo for at least the first three years,” says Textor.
May 8, 2023After a meeting of its board of directors on May 5, OL Groupe formalizes the early end of the Aulas era: it leaves its place as CEO to the American John Textor pending the appointment of a director , but remains honorary president. “OL Groupe sincerely thanks Jean-Michel Aulas for his unreserved commitment and dedication to OL for more than three decades, during which more than 50 titles have been won by both the men’s and women’s teams”, underlines the communicated.
