| Sport Republic | |
| Type: | Sports Investment Firm |
| Industry: | Sports Sports services |
| Founders: | Rasmus Ankersen Henrik Kraft |
| Hq Location: | London, United Kingdom |
| Key People: | Dragan Šolak |
| Subsid: | Southampton (80%) Göztepe (70%) Valenciennes Tonsser Sport Buff |
Sport Republic is a London-based sports investment firm founded by Rasmus Ankersen and Henrik Kraft and financed by lead investor Dragan Šolak.[1] The firm currently holds an 80% stake in the club Southampton.[2]
On 19 August 2022, Sport Republic acquired a 70% stake in Turkish club Göztepe, becoming the first foreign investor to buy a club in the Turkish football industry.[3] In July 2023, the firm became controlling shareholders of French club Valenciennes.
Sport Republic was set up by Rasmus Ankersen, who was previously director of football at Brentford, and Henrik Kraft, formerly a partner at private equity firm KKR.[4] Dragan Šolak was told about the plans to obtain stakes in football clubs, with Šolak agreeing and becoming a lead investor.
United Group, the European media company founded by Šolak, had previously held the rights to screen Premier League matches in the Balkans but lost out on the latest rights to screen Premier League matches to Telekom Srbija.[5] Šolak has insisted that his decision to become a lead investor, and buy Southampton, was unconnected to losing the Premier League rights.
On 4 January 2022, it was announced that Sport Republic had bought Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng’s 80% stake in Southampton. Despite buying Southampton, Sport Republic was keen to create a multi-club model similar to what City Football Group has achieved but to a smaller scale.[6] Southampton chief executive Martin Semmens said that the new ownership would allow the club to be more flexible in the transfer market but insisted a sensible, cautious approach will help the club in the long term.[7]
Sport Republic’s first summer transfer window during the 2022–23 season saw a number of new arrivals for Southampton, with the transfers putting faith in youth.[8] The window saw the arrivals of Gavin Bazunu, Mateusz Lis, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Roméo Lavia, Joe Aribo, Sékou Mara, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios on permanent transfers, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined on loan.[9] [10] The manager at the time, Ralph Hasenhüttl, called their efforts in the window 'phenomenal'.[11]
On 7 November 2022, Southampton announced it had parted company with Hasenhüttl.[12] At the time, Southampton were in the Premier League relegation zone with 12 points after 14 games.[13] This was Sport Republic's first managerial sacking. Three days later, Sport Republic appointed Nathan Jones as Southampton's new manager, joining from Luton Town.[14] Jones's appointment led to widespread disapproval from the fanbase and calls to sack him after just four games, with Jones losing all four.[15]
The January window saw Sport Republic buying five players in an attempt to lift the club off the bottom of the table. A club record fee of €25 million was paid for winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. Mislav Oršić, Carlos Alcaraz, James Bree, and striker Paul Onuachu also joined the club.[16] [17] [18]
On 12 February 2023, Nathan Jones was sacked as Southampton manager after just 95 days in charge.[19] Rubén Sellés then took over for the remainder of the season, before leaving the club. On 13 May 2023, it was confirmed that Southampton would be relegated to the EFL Championship, after Sport Republic's first full season of ownership.[20] Following relegation, Sport Republic made large organisational and senior staff changes at Southampton including long standing CEO, Martin Semmens leaving his role and the appointment of Šolak as chairman.[21] [22]
On 21 June 2023, Russell Martin was appointed as manager from Swansea City on a contract running until 2026.[23] After only one season in the Championship, the club was promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2023–24 season.[24]
On 19 August 2022, it was announced that Sport Republic brought a 70% stake in Göztepe.[25] Ankersen, who is director at Southampton, was appointed chairman of the club.[26] The club were promoted to the Süper Lig at the end of the 2023–24 season.[27]
On 25 July 2023, Sport Republic became the majority shareholder of French club Valenciennes.[28] [29] The club were relegated to the Championnat National at the end of the 2023–24 season.[30]
Sport Republic have also acquired stakes in the football youth development app Tonsser[31] and sport streaming site Sport Buff.[32]