Originally Posted by
EastStandRed
Pacific Media Group founder Paul Conway is in advanced talks to take a minority stake in a German soccer team, backed by baseball executives known for data-driven analysis.
A deal for 10% of FC Kaiserslautern could reportedly be announced soon. Conway is working with investors and multi-team co-owners Chien Lee and Krishen Sud, Tampa Bay Rays co-owner Randy Frankel, and former Rays executive Michael Kalt on the bid.
Known for targeting lower-division teams, often with a limited track record of success, Pacific Media Group co-owns a growing collection of European soccer teams.
EFL Championship’s Barnsley FC (Oakland A’s executive Billy Beane also owns a stake)
Ligue 2’s AS Nancy
Esbjerg FB of Denmark’s First Division
Belgian Pro League team KV Oostende
Swiss Challenge League team FC Thun
FC Den Bosch of the Netherlands’ Eerste Divisie
Local investors acquired 33% of Kaiserslautern in 2020 for around $12.1 million.
SPAC on Track
Conway is seeking to claim a chunk of a more prestigious team through a SPAC he formed with Kalt, Counter Press Acquisition Corp. The blank-check company is seeking a club with an enterprise value between $250 million and $500 million.
The SPAC’s management team includes Frankel, former Rays general manager and current Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and Angel City Football Club co-founder Julie Uhrman.