'Godfather' Perez takes action, Real Madrid is about to undergo a historic change

Real Madrid is gearing up for a historic shift in its ownership setup, with the Spanish royal team anticipated to permit outside investors to acquire stakes in the club for the very first time.

Real Madrid is facing a pivotal change in its history, as the Spanish royal club plans to allow external investors to buy shares in the club for the first time.

Since its founding in 1902, Real Madrid has always been owned by its members, known as “socios.” Any modification in this structure must be approved by the members through a vote. Despite being the only football club worldwide to surpass 1 billion Euros in revenue, President Florentino Perez admits that this ownership model makes it difficult for Real to financially compete with European rivals backed by billionaires or sovereign investment funds.

Perez mentioned the possibility of organizing a “referendum” at last year’s annual general meeting to consider allowing external investment while ensuring control remains with the members. According to The Athletic, he plans to present a detailed plan for this direction at this year’s meeting, expected before the end of November.

Details are still being finalized due to the complexity involving legal and tax issues, but anticipation of a “historic revolution” is spreading within Real Madrid.

How might Real Madrid's ownership structure change?

Real Madrid is one of four Spanish clubs, along with Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Osasuna, allowed to maintain the member ownership model following regulations in the 1990s that required professional teams to convert into private companies.

However, internal discussions suggest Real Madrid might be split into two separate entities: one handling football operations continuing under member ownership, and another managing business activities where external investors could buy shares.

The club is also considering adopting the German “50+1” model, ensuring members always hold the majority ownership in any share structure.

At last year’s meeting, President Perez affirmed that Real Madrid will always belong to its members: “I want to emphasize that we will propose restructuring the club to the assembly to secure its future, protect Real from threats, and most importantly, guarantee that we (the members) remain the true owners of the club, both in name and economic assets.

And of course, we will establish the necessary mechanisms to ensure that control of the club always stays in the hands of the members. It is we, through a referendum, who will decide Real Madrid’s destiny together.”

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