The private equity firm Entrepreneur Equity Partners has agreed to buy a 16.38% stake in Benfica’s Sociedade Anónima Desportiva (SAD), for an undisclosed amount.

This stake in the “eagles'” SAD will be acquired from Portuguese businessman José António dos Santos and his Valouro Group, which operates in the food industry.

The completion of the transaction is subject to prior approval of the share transfer by the Benfica SAD’s general assembly, in accordance with its statutes, and also to the fulfillment of other conditions “usual in transactions of this nature,” according to information provided by dos Santos through the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

This deal is expected to be finalized by the end of July 2026.

Deal valued at €25 million

The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Still, that stake was valued at around €25 million at market prices at Monday’s close.

Based in Chicago, Entrepreneur Equity Partners invests in companies with revenues exceeding US$50 million and in the food and consumer goods sectors, managing approximately US$2 billion in assets.

Benfica is one of the most titled teams in Portugal and has the largest membership base, boasting two European Champions Cups, 38 national championship titles, and 26 Portuguese Cups.

It is also the richest Portuguese club, having generated revenues of €284 million in the 2025-2026 season, ranking 25th in the world’s highest-earning clubs, according to Deloitte.

Americans already control more than 20% of Benfica

The Benfica SAD (Sporting Club Benfica, a publicly traded company) has been attracting the interest of investors from the United States. Last year, the Lenore Sports Partners fund announced the acquisition of more than 5% of the company, including a stake held by the former president, Luís Filipe Vieira.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica continues to hold 66.98% of the capital of the sports company.

Benfica’s shares are soaring more than 9% this Tuesday, trading at €7.20, with the SAD (Sporting Club of Lisboa e Benfica) registering a market value of €165.6 million.