Quantum Pacific Expands Spanish Sports Portfolio with Acquisition of Los Gallos SailGP Team

In what is being described as the largest financial operation in the history of Spanish sailing, the Quantum Pacific Group has reached an agreement with SailGP to acquire the Spanish national team, Los Gallos. The move signals a major expansion for the Israeli investment group, which already holds significant stakes in some of Spain’s most prominent sporting institutions.

The acquisition makes Quantum Pacific the sole owner of the franchise, marking a pivotal shift for Los Gallos. Until this agreement, the Spanish team was one of only two remaining SailGP squads that had not yet secured an independent investor. For those unfamiliar with the league’s structure, SailGP operates as a global circuit of national teams, often referred to as the “Formula 1 of sailing” due to its emphasis on cutting-edge technology, extreme speed, and a franchise-based business model.

A High-Stakes Investment in the ‘Formula 1 of the Sea’

While the specific financial terms of the agreement between Quantum Pacific and SailGP remain confidential, industry benchmarks provide a clear picture of the scale. Reports suggest the acquisition price falls between €45 million and €50 million. To put this in perspective, the recent purchase of the Danish boat by American Magic was valued at approximately $60 million, highlighting the premium placed on competitive franchises within the league.

This investment arrives at a critical juncture for Los Gallos. Just three years ago, the team faced a precarious future and was on the verge of disappearing. The arrival of a heavyweight investor like Quantum Pacific not only secures the team’s immediate survival but provides the financial muscle necessary to compete at the highest level of professional sailing.

The acquisition was formalized in the presence of key figures from both the investment group and the league. Attendees included Amit Singh and Antoine Bonnier of Quantum Pacific, as well as Nicole van der Velden, a strategist for Los Gallos. Also present were SailGP co-founder and CEO Sir Russell Coutts and Los Gallos pilot Diego Botín.

Who is Idan Ofer?

The driving force behind this acquisition is Idan Ofer, an Israeli billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Ofer serves as the principal of the Quantum Pacific Group, a holding company with a diversified portfolio spanning shipping, energy, and mining. His entry into the sports world has been strategic and high-profile.

Ofer is already a well-known figure in Spanish sports. He holds a 33% stake in Atlético de Madrid and is a shareholder in the Movistar Team, Spain’s premier professional cycling squad. His sporting interests extend beyond Spain as well, including an 85% stake in the Portuguese club Famalicão.

Financial records underscore the scale of Ofer’s resources. As of February 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$17.7 billion. In the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, he was ranked fifth among the wealthiest people in the UK with an estimated fortune of £20.121 billion. For Ofer, the acquisition of Los Gallos is not an isolated venture but part of a broader “sports investment” philosophy, mirroring his approach to football and cycling.

Understanding the SailGP Model

To understand why this acquisition is significant, one must understand the unique nature of SailGP. Founded in 2019 by the legendary regatta sailor Russell Coutts and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the league was designed to modernize sailing and attract a younger, global audience.

The league began with six national franchises and has since grown to 13. Initially, these teams were owned and operated by SailGP itself. But, the organization’s long-term business strategy has been to sell these teams to independent investors. This transition shifts the financial burden of team operations to private owners while allowing the league to maintain a standardized, high-competition environment.

The “F1” comparison is not merely marketing. SailGP utilizes identical, high-performance foiling catamarans, meaning the outcome of a race depends on the skill of the crew and the tactical decisions of the team, rather than who has the biggest budget for boat design. This creates a level playing field that is highly attractive to broadcasters and sponsors alike.

The Spanish Connection: From Cádiz to Valencia

The acquisition comes at a time of geographic transition for the sport in Spain. For four editions, the Spanish leg of the SailGP circuit has been hosted in Cádiz. However, this September, the action will move to Valencia.

The move to Valencia is expected to provide a fresh backdrop for the league’s spectacular high-speed racing. For the newly acquired Los Gallos, the Valencia regatta will serve as a homecoming of sorts, allowing the team to showcase its new backing and stability in front of a domestic audience.

For the global sailing community, the entry of Quantum Pacific into the sport adds a layer of corporate stability to the Spanish franchise. Sailing has historically struggled with consistent funding; by integrating Los Gallos into a portfolio that includes elite football and cycling, Idan Ofer is treating the team as a professional asset rather than a passion project.

Strategic Implications for Spanish Sport

The pattern of investment by Quantum Pacific suggests a calculated interest in the Spanish market. By diversifying across football, cycling, and now high-performance sailing, the group is capturing different demographics of sports fans. Atlético de Madrid provides mass-market appeal and global brand recognition, the Movistar Team offers a deep connection to Spain’s cycling heritage, and Los Gallos provides a gateway into the luxury and technology-driven world of professional sailing.

This trend of private equity and billionaire investment in national sports franchises is becoming more common globally. It provides teams with the liquidity needed for top-tier talent and infrastructure, though it often moves the sport further away from traditional club models and closer to the American-style franchise system.

As Los Gallos prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will shift from financial survival to podium finishes. With the backing of one of the world’s most successful holding companies, the Spanish team now has the resources to match the ambitions of its rivals on the water.

The next major milestone for the team will be the September regatta in Valencia, where the new ownership’s impact will first be felt on the racecourse.

Do you think the franchise model is the best way to grow sailing globally, or does it take away from the sport’s traditional roots? Let us know in the comments.