Le Mans FC officially confirmed on August 1, 2025, that tennis legend Novak Djokovic has become a part-owner of the club, as part of a strategic minority investment led by Brazilian fund OutField. Joining Djokovic in the deal are former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen, with financing further supported by Georgios Frangulis, CEO of health-food brand OakBerry.
1. Who’s behind the investment—and what’s the plan?
- OutField, a Latin American sports investment firm co-founded by Pedro Olivera, spearheaded the deal. Its unique model emphasizes investment by elite athletes, who not only bring capital but also strategic value, media pull, and global brand equity.
- Djokovic, the sportsman with a record 24 Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis, is set to become the most high-profile name in the new ownership cohort. Felipe Massa (11 F1 wins) and Kevin Magnussen (one podium in nearly 200 races) bring motorsport credentials—critical to Le Mans FC’s identity given the city’s automotive heritage .
- Thierry Gomez, who founded and remains the president-owner of the club, stressed that while immediate promotion to Ligue 1 is not realistic, “we must build gradually, stay grounded, and respect the club’s heritage”.
2. Why this signals a turning point for Le Mans FC
a) Financial and brand revival
- The partnership marks a fresh and high-profile capital injection into Le Mans FC, which only returned to Ligue 2 as of May 16, 2025, following a five-season fall through the French football pyramid.
- With no prior Ligue 1 titles and limited media exposure, the club now gains global recognition via Djokovic and Formula 1 names, opening opportunities in merchandising, sponsorship, and outreach beyond France.
b) Strategic synergy with Le Mans’s motorsport legacy
- Le Mans is not just a city of football; it is a world capital of motorsport, home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Including Massa and Magnussen allows the club to develop unique crossovers—fan activations, motorsport-themed matchdays, and shared sponsorships—a rare proposition in football investments.
c) Unique athletic capital and governance model
- Djokovic’s role goes beyond being a name investor. Le Mans described his “mental strength and unique approach” as metrics that can reshape sporting culture—from player mindset to youth academy ethos.
- OutField’s model echoes recent trends: athletes investing in clubs they don’t necessarily play for (e.g. LeBron’s basketball ventures); a move away from opaque holdings toward greater transparency, storytelling, and athlete-led leadership.
3. On-field objectives and next steps
- Le Mans officially begins its 2025–26 Ligue 2 season on August 9, with an away fixture at Guingamp.
- The board is under pressure both to retain second‑division status and to softly lay foundations for eventual Ligue 1 promotion—a multi-year vision.
- Investments will focus on player recruitment, youth development, modernised infrastructure (possibly in training facilities), and enhanced matchday experience to increase attendance and community engagement.
4. Wider implications for French football
- The deal comes amid a wave of international investment in lower-division French clubs, redefining what sustainable growth in French football means during a period of TV rights uncertainty and financial regulation under the DNCG.
- It also shows appeal beyond traditional football investment; Brazilian groups and athlete investors from other sports are seeking football brands with cultural resonance and room for value appreciation.
5. What remains unclear
- The size of the financial stake Djokovic and his partners are taking remains undisclosed. Neither Djokovic nor OutField confirmed exact percentages or capital figures.
- It’s not yet clarified how decision-making will be shared—whether Djokovic has seats on the board or influence over sporting or commercial strategy, or if the deal operates more as passive sponsorship via minority equity.
- Any financial returns or exit strategy is also unmentioned: whether Le Mans aims for long-term retention or positioning for a future sale at scale.
Bottom Line
The arrival of Novak Djokovic, Felipe Massa, Kevin Magnussen, and OutField as minority investors marks a pivotal shift for Le Mans FC. As a recently-promoted Ligue 2 side, the club is now backed by elite sporting figures whose global brands and alternative sports clout could reshape its financial and cultural trajectory. While Djokovic is unlikely to retire soon, his surprising turn into football investment reflects a broader pivot: sporting icons using their platforms to build structures off the field that endure long after their careers. Le Mans FC’s next chapter begins not just with a match on August 9, but with renewed visibility and ambition—powered in part by a tennis star looking to win a different competition altogether.
