Ryan Sports Ventures, the sports investment arm of the Chicago-based Ryan family, has acquired a minority stake in Bill Foley’s Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), which owns the English Premier League’s AFC Bournemouth.
While the exact financial details of the investment were not disclosed, the Ryan family’s sports portfolio includes a significant minority stake in the Chicago Bears, as well as support for a proposed new football stadium at Northwestern University.
In addition to AFC Bournemouth, BKFC also holds a notable minority stake in Ligue 1’s FC Lorient. Bill Foley, the founder of Black Knight Football Club, has a growing portfolio of sports and entertainment properties, which includes the 2023 Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights, the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League, and the Vegas Knight Hawks of the Indoor Football League.
Ryan Sports Ventures was established by the Ryan family in May 2022 to increase its investments in sports technology properties and media. The family has interests in various sports sectors, including ownership stakes in the Chicago Bears and Penske Corporation, owner of Team Penske racing.
According to Rob Ryan, the Managing Partner of Ryan Sports Ventures, soccer is viewed as an attractive investment opportunity, given its status as a global sport. The growth potential of soccer in Europe, particularly in North America, is emphasized, along with the expanding popularity of leagues like the NWSL and MLS, as well as the forthcoming 2026 World Cup.
Ryan Sports Ventures has invested in sports technology companies, such as InCrowd, Sportable, Playmaker, Quintar, Tagboard, and Boost (a joint venture with the Big Ten and Josh Childress’ group). They are also anchor investors in Will Ventures and Advantage Fund.
BKFC, led by Bill Foley, acquired AFC Bournemouth in December from Maxim Demin, with notable partners, including a minority ownership group led by actor and director Michael B. Jordan. Bournemouth returned to the Premier League at the end of the 2021-2022 season and recently signed USMNT captain Tyler Adams for the next five years. The addition of Adams is expected to increase Bournemouth’s exposure among soccer fans in the United States.
