Frankfurt, Germany – US investor John Textor has confirmed his interest in acquiring a stake in Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, reigniting debate over Germany’s 50+1 ownership rule and the growing influence of multi-club ownership models in European football.
Textor, the American businessman and founder of Eagle Football Holdings, made the remarks during an appearance in the WDR documentary “Inside Fußball – Wer kauft das Spiel?”, where he described himself as “a perfect, passionate type” who would “gladly invest in Germany.” He stated plainly: “I am an Eintracht fan.”
The interest comes despite Textor no longer holding a stake in Crystal Palace, which he sold in July 2025 for a reported £190 million. He remains the majority owner of Brazilian Série A champions Botafogo, French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, and Belgian club RWDM Brussels through his Eagle Football Holdings portfolio.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s leadership has responded with clear opposition. Club spokesperson Axel Hellmann warned against the implications of multi-club structures, stating: “We must engage with rules that ultimately create it difficult for investors to buy clubs and then shuttle players from A to B. Beware the beginnings!” Hellmann added that such networks represent a competitive advantage “that we will experience in the long run in football,” and that Textor’s ambitions “go too far.”
The 50+1 rule, a cornerstone of German football governance, requires that club members hold a majority of voting rights, effectively preventing any single entity from gaining full control. While limited commercial investment is permitted, the rule is designed to preserve fan influence and prevent the kind of cross-club player movements Textor’s model enables.
Textor’s background in digital media and visual effects – including perform on Hollywood films like “Iron Man” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” – preceded his entry into football ownership. He has previously been recognized by The Modern York Times as “Hollywood’s Virtual Reality Guru” for his early innovations in immersive technology.
His investment strategy centers on creating synergies across his network of clubs, facilitating player transfers and shared operational resources. Botafogo won both the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the 2024 Copa Libertadores under his ownership, while RWDM Brussels earned promotion to the Belgian Pro League in 2023.
Eintracht Frankfurt, currently competing in the Bundesliga, has not indicated any timeline for a decision on external investment. The club’s next fixture is a Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg, scheduled for April 20, 2026, at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.
As discussions around investor influence in German football continue, the 50+1 rule remains a defining feature of the Bundesliga’s identity – one that clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt are determined to uphold.
For ongoing updates on Bundesliga ownership developments and Eintracht Frankfurt’s season, visit archysport.com.
