Who are Southampton football club owners Sport Republic?
SPORT Republic is a London based sports investment fund.
They currently hold roughly 80 per cent in the Premier League club Southampton.
Who are Southampton football club owners Sport Republic?
Sport Republic is controlled by Rasmus Ankersen, Henrik Kraft, and lead investor Dragan Šolak.
The firm was set up by Ankersen, the previous Director of Football at Brentford FC, and Kraft, who was formerly Partner & Head of European Technology & Communications Industry Team at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).
Upon hearing of the collaboration, Šolak, agreed to also join becoming the lead investor.
In January 2022, Sport Republic bought an 80 per cent stake in Southampton FC from controversial Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng.
Despite Šolak losing the rights to screen Premier League matches in the Balkans, he has denied his Southampton investment had anything to do with this.
Southampton was formed in 1885 and is based in Hampshire, playing home games at their 32,000-capacity at St Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton previously been named one of the world’s fastest-growing football clubs achieving their highest-ever Premier League finish in 2016 at sixth place.
However, they have plummeted to the bottom of the league in the 2022/23 season and are in danger of being relegated to the Championship.
Sport Republic has also invested in Turkish club Goztepe SK and Sport Buff, a gamification and on-screen engagement firm.
Who is Southampton FC CEO Martin Semmens?
Martin Semmens is the Vice Chairman (Strategy) at Southampton Football Club.
He was appointed to the position in 2019 and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the club.
A statement read: “Martin Semmens has also been appointed as CEO of Southampton Football Club.
“The management team and operations remain unchanged and the club is looking forward with new focus and determination to a successful season.”
What are the Southampton football club owners net worth?
According to accounts, both Kraft and Šolak are billionaires.
Šolak has an estimated net worth of over £1bn.
The mogul initially made millions from his telecoms company, United Group, which he founded in 2000.
His bio on the Sports Republic website says he is the founder and chairman of the advisory board of United Group.
Šolak has previously stated that he would grant additional funding to the club if required.
Kraft is reported to be worth around £2bn.
Money manager Kraft previously worked at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts as a Partner and Head of the European Technology and Communications Industry Team amassing his fortunes.
Ankersen’s net worth sits at around £3.9m.
From 2015-2021 he was co-director of football at Brentford.
He was also the executive chairman at Danish club FC Midtjylland.