QSI or FSG to add Málaga CF
Various media outlets report that both groups (QSI & FSG) are in advance discussions to acquire Malaga CF of Spain.
This post takes a deeper look into Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) ever growing portfolio.
QSI operates as a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), functioning as its specialised arm for sports-related investments. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Doha, QSI reinvests profits into Qatar’s sports, leisure, and entertainment sectors under the leadership of Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, who is president of PSG, CEO of beIN Media Group, president of the European Club Association and simultaneously serves on the UEFA Executive Committee. Over the years questions about conflicts of interest have been raised.
QIA’s portfolio = $520+ billion (March 2025)
QSI’s portfolio = $10+ billion (March 2025)
Málaga CF
QSI the ownership group behind Paris Saint-Germain, is in advanced negotiations to acquire Spanish football club Malaga CF in a deal reportedly worth €100m.
Malaga is the sole professional football team in a city renowned for its tourism.
The city of Malaga is the sixth-largest in Spain
The club’s 30,000-capacity La Rosaleda stadium is a host venue for the 2030 World Cup
2010 Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al Ahmed Al Thani, a Qatari businessman and member of Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family acquired Málaga CF from former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz’s family for €36 million, The timing aligned with Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid.
The club is now co-owned by Spanish hotel and real estate group BlueBay (Luxury properties and tourism-related ventures) which holds 49% and Qatari businessman Abdullah Al-Thani holds the majority 51%.
A legal dispute between BlueBay and Al Thani resulted with Spain’s Supreme Court enforcing the ownership split in January 2024.
2014 faced €25 million in unpaid player salaries
€7 million owed to Spanish tax authorities
2020 Málaga court placed the club under judicial administration stripping Al Thani of operational control after investigations were initiated against Al Thani and three of his sons
Embezzlement: Using club funds for luxury cars, property rentals, and personal share acquisitions
Money Laundering: Channeling revenues through shell companies
Abusive Contracts: Inflated salaries for family members on the board
1990 following the passing of his father Al Thani inherited Abdulla & Sons Group, a conglomerate with interests in real estate, construction, and finance. Al Thani failed to complete a development at Puerto Marina in Marbella due to financial difficulties. Al Thani owns a number of thoroughbred race-horses and multiple equestrian facilities in Marbella, which aligns with Qatar’s strategy to dominate elite horse-racing globally.
2012/13 Season Málaga made Champions League quarter-finals, 2018 they were relegated from La Liga to the second tier and in 2023 dropped to the third tier. 2024 they returned to second tier and currently sit 15th place.
Paris Saint-Germain
2011 QSI purchased a 70% stake in the club for approximately €70 million.
2012 acquired the remaining shares for around €30m.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, QSI's chairman, has served as PSG's president since the takeover, while Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar and founder of QSI, retains ultimate authority over major decisions
Since 2011 PSG has contributed €3 billion to France’s public finances.
PSG alone contributes 0.3% to Qatar’s non-oil GDP through tourism and merchandise.
July 2023 PSG New Training facility ‘Campus PSG’ opened, located in Poissy and cost €300 million.
December 2023, QSI sold a minority stake (12.5%) for around €531.25 million to Arctos Sports Partners valuing the QSI at over €4.25 billion.
ARCTOS Sport Partners are considered passive investors in elite sporting organisations with multiple stakes across NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL American sports franchises. In addition they have a vast portfolio of investments in football clubs.
2023 - Increased its minority stake in HBSE which has a 36% stake Crystal Palace through Josh Harris & David Blitzer combined shareholding. David Blitzer also has a portfolio of clubs including FC Augsburg, AP Alcorcón, Bronby, ADO Den Haag, SK Beveren & Estoril split under different holding companies.
2023 - Through QSI they have a 29% stake in Portuguese team SC de Braga
2022 - 45% in La Dea, the holding company which owns 86% of Atalanta (Serie A)
2022 - Majority Stake in MLS side Real Salt Lake and NWSL frnachise Utah Royals along with David Blitzer and Ryan Smith, although reports this weekend suggest that Blitzer and Smith are about to relinquish their majority control to the Larry H. Miller family (former owners of Utah Jazz).
2022 - 15% Stake in both MLS side Portland Timbers and NWSL's Portland Thorns.
2020 - 5% stake in Fenway Sports Group which includes Liverpool
SC de Braga
2022 QSI signed a share purchase agreement with Olivedesportos, SGPS, S.A. to acquire 21.67% of the share capital in Sporting Clube de Braga – Futebol, S.A.D (SC Braga) for around €15.5m
October 2023, QSI increased its ownership to 29.6% by acquiring additional shares from minority stakeholders.
QSI has supported the development of "Cidade Desportiva," a state-of-the-art sports complex spanning 30 hectares, which includes 9 pitches and a small stadium ‘Estádio Centenário’ for Braga ‘B’ team.
QSI also contributed to Braga club Museum which opened January 2025.
QIA - Other Sports Related Investments
Although QSI has ben the main strategic investor in sports related properties QIA has undertaken a number of stakes in companies that has close connections to sport and football.
Volkswagen AG
QIA is currently the third-largest shareholder in Volkswagen Group, holding a 17% stake. This gives QIA significant influence in the group's operations and strategic decisions.
Volkswagen AG 100% owns Bundesliga team VfL Wolfsburg-Fußball GmbH
Bayern Munich: While not owned by Volkswagen directly, Volkswagen subsidiary ‘Audi’ holds 8.33% of shares in the club, which was acquired in 2011 for €90 million.
Audi 2013 acquired 20% of FC Ingolstadt and is the sole owner of the stadium and training facilities
December 2024, QIA acquired 30% stake in Audi's Formula 1 team (Sauber'), worth around $350 million. The deal provides crucial capital to support the Volkswagen Group's recent financial difficulties. 2026 the name the team name will change from Sauber to Audi
2009, QIA reached an agreement with Porsche Automobil Holding SE (PSE) to acquire cash-settled options on Volkswagen shares. The deal also included QIA acquiring a 10% shareholding in PSE common shares from the Porsche and Piech families.
January 2024 Porsche initially acquired a 5.49% stake in VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG, The company acquired a second tranche of 5.2% in June 2024, total stake to 10.41%, total investment over €100 million.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE)
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) is a leading American sports and entertainment company based in Washington, D.C., founded by Ted Leonsis in June 2010
QIA Acquired a 5% stake in MSE in 2023 for $200 million as part of its expansion into North American sports.
MSE is valued at $6.16 billion by Forbes (Nov 2024).
Teams and Properties Owned by MSE
NHL: Washington Capitals (2018 Stanley Cup Champions)
NBA: Washington Wizards
WNBA: Washington Mystics (2019 WNBA Champions)
NBA G League: Capital City Go-Go
NBA 2K League: Wizards District Gaming (2020 & 2021 NBA 2K League Champions)
Esports: Co-owner of aXiomatic, which has controlling interest in Team Liquid.
Venues include, Capital One Arena; MedStar Capitals Iceplex; MedStar Health Performance Center and EagleBank Arena.
Ted Leonsis is the founder, chairman, CEO, and principal owner of MSE. He is a former senior executive at AOL and a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Premier Padel
QSI acquired the World Padel Tour in 2023, rebranded as Premier Padel.
Premier Padel operates in collaboration with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Professional Padel Association (PPA).
2024 calendar featured 25 tournaments in 18 countries across five continents
30 million players world wide now play Padel, Spain has seen Padel become the second most popular sport in the country 5.5 million playing weekly.
QSI rumoured to be acquiring other Football Clubs across the Globe.