Former FuboTV chairman Textor in talks with Lyon over takeover

John Textor, the former executive chairman of OTT platform FuboTV, is in talks to takeover Ligue 1 football club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon).

Textor, born into the du Pont Family, started life as a competitive skateboarder but has spent the past 40-plus years investing in technology, media, entertainment and sports. 

John Textor

In August 2021 Textor acquired a 40% stake in Crystal Palace Football Club, and is also the majority shareholder of Brazilian club Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, and Belgian team RWD Molenbeek.

Now looking to extend his reach into France, Lyon has confirmed that it is in talks with Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings to sell the majority stake held by club president Jean-Michel Aulas. Aulas will remain the president of Lyon for at least three more years, having served in the role since acquiring the club in 1987. 

With the sale approved by the club’s board of directors, Eagle Football Holdings will have a 66.5% stake in the club, potentially rising to 88.55% in the future. 

Lyon was arguably the biggest club in France prior to the Qatar takeover of Paris Saint Germain in 2011. Though its star has faded in recent times in the men’s game, it still maintains a strong position near the top of women’s football, most recently winning the 2022 Champions League and the 2021/22 Women’s French Division 1.