Michele Kang to Acquire Full Control of Olympique Lyonnais
American billionaire Michele Kang has reached an agreement to acquire 87.8% of Olympique Lyonnais' parent company, Eagle Football Group, by buying out its debt and injecting up to €75 million. The deal, which saves the club from potential administrative relegation due to €175 million in debt, requires approval from French financial watchdog DNCG. Kang will become sole controlling shareholder and president, with Michael Gerlinger remaining CEO. The club will revert to the name OL Groupe and remain publicly traded.
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Michele Kang Details Risky OL Buyout, Aims for Ligue 1 Podium
Michele Kang, the new American-Korean owner of Olympique Lyonnais (OL), detailed the financial structure of her risky buyout of 87.78% of the club. Speaking at Groupama Stadium after DNCG confirmation of OL's Ligue 1 status with a salary cap, Kang revealed she paid €26.3 million to buy Eagle Bidco's debt, committed €71 million in cash over two seasons, and secured a €232.6 million debt write-off from Ares fund. She admitted taking huge personal and financial risks, describing moments of near-death during negotiations. Kang emphasized restructuring and stabilizing the club as priority one, while investing in the academy, youth development, first team, and infrastructure. CEO Michael Gerlinger and sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean set the ambition to finish on the Ligue 1 podium every season and compete in the Champions League. Kang declined to comment on predecessor John Textor's potential liabilities, citing an ongoing independent audit and complaint for misuse of corporate assets.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuLyon's value collapses from €798 million to €30 million due to former owner's mismanagement and debt
French football club Olympique Lyonnais has entered a new era as John Textor's parent company 'Eagle' exits and Michele Kang takes full control, preparing to acquire 87.8% of shares for less than €30 million—a dramatic drop from the €798 million Textor paid in 2022. The collapse in value is attributed to poor management, costly transfer errors, and massive debt now estimated at €600 million. Kang has negotiated a debt write-off of €262 million, but €350 million remains tied mainly to stadium construction. She has committed €31 million in cash this summer and must inject another €40 million if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League. The article highlights 'ghost transfers' involving Botafogo players under Textor and staggering deficits of €200 million for 2024-2025.
虎扑 - 足球Trust After Sleepless Nights: Michele Kang's Plan After Takeover of Olympique Lyonnais
Michele Kang, the American-Korean majority shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais (OL), held a press conference on Friday detailing the terms of her risky buyout that saved the club from relegation under a salary cap framework. Kang acquired 87.78% of the club after purchasing Eagle Bidco's debt for €26.3 million and committing €71 million in cash injection over two seasons. Ares fund wrote off €232.6 million of debt, and financial charges on stadium debt were rescheduled until January 2028. Kang admitted taking significant personal and financial risks, noting moments of near-death for the deal. She outlined priorities of restructuring and stabilizing the club while investing in the academy, young talent, and infrastructure. CEO Michael Gerlinger and sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean set the ambition of finishing on the Ligue 1 podium every season and qualifying for the Champions League. The takeover bid for minority shareholders will match Kang's price without forced squeeze-out. Kang declined to comment on potential liabilities from predecessor John Textor, citing an ongoing independent audit.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuMichele Kang Takes Control of Olympique Lyonnais, Ending Textor Era
Olympique Lyonnais faced a pivotal day on Tuesday. American businesswoman Michele Kang attended a DNCG (French football financial watchdog) hearing in Paris regarding her acquisition of 87.8% of the club's shares. Later, OL announced the sale, marking the end of the Eagle Football Group era under John Textor. Kang personally committed to buying the club's main debt (including €500 million owed to Ares) through a debt compensation operation canceling €236 million, and will inject €71 million in cash (€31 million immediately for the 2026-2027 season). OL also secured a moratorium on loan payments from banks including Goldman Sachs. While the club still carries around €350 million in stadium-related debt, Kang expressed optimism about OL's reconstruction and return to European football leadership. The DNCG's formal validation is pending.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuMichele Kang to become full owner of Olympique Lyonnais after debt buyout
Olympique Lyonnais (OL), one of France's most storied football clubs, will change ownership as American businesswoman Michele Kang acquires full control by buying out the debt from the former owner John Textor's Eagle Bidco group. Kang, who has served as club president for a year, committed to injecting up to 71 million euros into the group. The deal requires approval from France's National Directorate of Control and Management (DNCG), which evaluates financial viability for top-division participation. Lyon had been threatened with administrative relegation to the second division in June 2025 due to 175 million euros in debt, but avoided demotion after Kang replaced Textor. The club will leave Eagle Football group and revert to being OL Groupe, remaining publicly traded. The article highlights Lyon's seven Ligue 1 titles and notable former players including Benzema, Lloris, and Juninho Pernambucano.
FútbolMichele Kang Acquires 87.8% of Olympique Lyonnais, Commits €75 Million
On June 23, 2025, Olympique Lyonnais announced that Michele Kang has reached an agreement to acquire 87.8% of the equity in Eagle Football Group SA, the parent company of the Ligue 1 club. Kang will personally buy out the debt of primary lenders and become the sole controlling shareholder. She has pledged to inject up to €71 million into the group, with €31 million due at completion, totaling €75 million including transaction costs. Major lenders including Ares, Goldman Sachs, MUFG, and MetLife have agreed to provide credit support for 18 months post-completion. The deal is subject to approval by the French National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG). If finalized, Lyon will leave the Eagle Football group, revert to the name OL Groupe, and remain listed. Kang will serve as President, with Michael Gerlinger continuing as CEO. The club expressed gratitude to lenders and stakeholders for facilitating the transaction that ensures its survival.
虎扑 - 足球Michele Kang becomes sole controlling shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais
American billionaire Michele Kang has officially reached an agreement to take sole control of Olympique Lyonnais. She struck deals with Ares, the main creditor of Eagle Football Bidco, and Cork Gully, the administrator liquidating the holding company owning about 87% of the club. Kang will inject up to 71 million euros (75 million including transaction costs) into the group. The finalization is conditional on review by the DNCG, which must validate financial guarantees and confirm Lyon's administrative status in Ligue 1. The move solidifies Kang's control over the French football club.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuOlympique Lyonnais Announces Agreement in Principle for Michele Kang Takeover
Olympique Lyonnais (OL) announced on Tuesday that Eagle Bidco, represented by its judicial administrator Cork Gully, has reached an agreement in principle with Michele Kang for the acquisition of 87.8% of the capital of Eagle Football Group SA, the parent company of the club. Under the agreement, Michele Kang will personally buy back the debt of Eagle Bidco's main lenders and become the sole controlling shareholder of OL. Kang has also committed to injecting up to 71 million euros (75 million including transaction costs) into the Group, with 31 million euros to be paid at closing. The announcement marks a significant turning point for the Rhône-based club.
Home Football - actualitésMichele Kang Set to Take Sole Control of Olympique Lyonnais
American billionaire Michele Kang has reached an agreement with Ares, the main creditor of Eagle Bidco, and Cork Gully, the liquidator handling the dissolution of the holding company that owns roughly 87% of Olympique Lyonnais, to significantly increase her stake in the club's capital. The deal, finalized after weeks of uncertainty, involves a substantial cash injection from Kang. This clarification comes just before Lyon's decisive review hearing before the DNCG (financial watchdog) on Tuesday, which could have led to administrative relegation to Ligue 2 without an ownership agreement. Kang will take sole control without a capital partnership with Ares. On the operational side, Michael Gerlinger will remain general manager, ensuring continuity. Lyon's management has recently reduced the wage bill and sold Afonso Moreira to Bayer Leverkusen for €33.6 million.
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