Football / Bristol City Women
Bristol City Women becomes part of multi-club consortium
Bristol City Women are now part of an ambitious multi-club ownership consortium backed by the likes of Juan Mata, Giorgio Chiellini and Eni Aluko.
Mercury13 already own Italian Serie A side FC Como Women and have now acquired a majority stake in the Robins ahead of building a portfolio of clubs across Europe and South America.
Mercury13 say their vision “is to become the benchmark in the women’s club ownership industry by identifying and investing in the clubs of the next decade, while enhancing their commercial capabilities to engage a large but historically underserved audience of women’s football fans”.
is needed now More than ever
Mercury13 were previously in discussions with Lewes but that potential partnership eventually fizzled out in 2023 and instead Como became their first acquisition in 2024, with City now their second purchase.
Two teams does not really equate a “multi-club” model yet but the consortium will no doubt be flexing their purchasing power over the years to come if they continue to gain new investment.
City Women currently play in the Women’s Super League 2, the second tier of women’s football in England.
They have had an unusual journey to where they are now, having originally been Bristol Rovers before that team became Bristol Academy and then that team became Bristol City.
The Lansdown family is now handing over their stewardship to Mercury13 but will retain a minority shareholding in the club, who will continue to play at Ashton Gate and train at the Robins High Performance Centre in Failand.
Steve Lansdown said: “We have always said we would look at investment if it was the right partner at the right time, and I believe now is that time for City Women.
“Mercury13’s ambition for women’s football matches our own; their dedicated investment and focus on women’s football will accelerate Bristol City Women’s growth, and I look forward to seeing what the club can achieve in the years to come.”
Bristol City Women chair and Bristol Sport CEO, Gavin Marshall, called it “a pivotal moment” for Bristol City Women and that he is “confident that the guardianship of the club is in excellent hands”.
Mercury13 co-founder and co-CEO, Mario Malavé, added: “Bristol City Women represents everything we look for in a club: a rich history, a track record of performance, world-class infrastructure and incredibly loyal supporters.
“Our entry into the English football pyramid is a major milestone for Mercury13, and one we approach with deep respect and responsibility.
“We’re honoured by the Lansdown family’s trust and are committed to building something special alongside the Bristol community.”
Main photo: Bristol Sport
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