Recently, in European football, multi-club ownership (MCO), in which a single company owns multiple clubs, has been rapidly spreading. This structure raises a debate over whether it increases the efficiency of club ownership or undermines fair competition. MCO is a structure in which a single investment group operates multiple clubs across many countries.

As a representative example, City Football Group owns numerous clubs, including Manchester City in England, Girona FC in Spain, New York City FC in the United States, and other clubs in Japan, Brazil, and elsewhere. The key feature of this structure is sharing resources between clubs. Data analysis, medical information, and coaching strategies are shared through the company. It also maximizes the clubs’ benefits by developing, buying, and selling young talents. Girona FC is a proven example of a club that improved significantly after joining the group and secured qualification for European competitions.

On the other hand, this structure also sparks disputes over fairness. In particular, concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest when clubs with the same owner compete in the same tournament. As a result, UEFA is strengthening regulations requiring ownership separation and managerial independence for clubs entering European competitions. Some also argue that this structure may allow player transfers to function like internal transactions. It creates unequal competition and could potentially destroy the overall balance of leagues in the long term. In addition, there is criticism that football clubs, once rooted in local communities, are rapidly being transformed into global investment assets.

In conclusion, multi-club ownership has become one of the most efficient ways for clubs to maximize their benefits, and it has emerged alongside the globalization of the football industry. At the same time, it raises concerns and criticism about fairness and the fundamental values of sports. Now, the football industry stands at a critical crossroads in finding a balance between capital efficiency and fairness.

김선균 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

<저작권자 © 강남포스트, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>