Portuguese football club SL Benfica has agreed a minority stake sale to Entrepreneur Equity Partners at a valuation implying a significant premium over recent trading levels, underscoring growing international demand for European football assets, according to a report by Bloomberg.
According to people familiar with the transaction, investor José António dos Santos and his family’s Grupo Valouro will sell a 16.38% stake at roughly €10–11 per share, representing a premium of around 70% compared with the prior closing price of €6.46, to the US-based private investment firm.
The deal briefly pushed Benfica’s listed shares to a record high in Lisbon, reflecting heightened investor interest and volatility before trading was temporarily suspended. The implied valuation for the club’s football business is approximately €250m, though broader estimates place Benfica’s total enterprise value substantially higher when debt is included.
The transaction represents one of the most significant US investments into Portuguese football to date and follows earlier participation from other American investors, including a smaller stake acquired last year by Lenore Sports Partners.
Benfica, one of Portugal’s most prominent clubs alongside FC Porto and Sporting CP, is majority-controlled by its member-owned parent organisation, which holds about 64%, limiting the likelihood of a full takeover.
The investment group reportedly includes figures with prior experience in sports and venue development, while Benfica continues to pursue large-scale redevelopment plans for its stadium district into a mixed-use entertainment hub.
The club, founded in 1904 and based in Lisbon, has a strong reputation for its youth academy, which has long served as a pipeline for player transfers to major European leagues.
