Bale targets Cardiff City with new sports fund

Former Wales international Gareth Bale has launched a new sports investment fund with private equity firm Juggernaut Capital to target football club acquisitions.

The Cardiff-born player, who retired from professional football in January 2023, has established the new vehicle to invest in teams and leagues across both men’s and women’s sports.

Bale has refused to rule out a second bid for Cardiff City, after his previous attempt to purchase his hometown club was rejected by owner Vincent Tan last year. Since the initial takeover bid, Cardiff City have won promotion back to the Championship.

Gareth Bale, Founder of the sports fund, said, “It’s about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take. That doesn’t mean Cardiff is off the table. But I think now we have a bit of time, and will look around. Of course, it’s where I was born. It’s close to my heart. It’s in my home country. For sure, there’s those heartstrings that pull there.

But again, you also have to look at the business side and what’s right to grow the club, to get it at the right price. You have to look at it with a business brain, not just as a vanity project. So it’s something that’s just got to fit with everything. We’re in no rush and we want to find the right club and the right team to grow that club and include the fans and the community and make it a real success.”