Jean-Michel Aulas’ family business, Holnest, is in talks with OL Groupe to acquire the OL Vallée Arena, as announced in a press release on Tuesday.
The aim of these “confidential” negotiations is the complete sale of the shares of OLG Vallée Arena, which operates the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu. The exclusivity period runs until 31 May 2024.
The LDLC Arena, a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of 16,000, was inaugurated at the end of 2023 and is used for some of Tony Parker’s Asvel basketball games.
The initiative was spearheaded by Jean-Michel Aulas, the former president of Lyon and CEO of OL Groupe until its acquisition by American businessman John Textor in the spring of 2023. Reports indicate the sale was valued at €160 million. The negotiations received approval from the OL Groupe’s Board of Directors and are part of Eagle Football’s strategy to refocus on men’s football. Additionally, OL Groupe had previously sold its American women’s football club, the Seattle-Reign FC, for €53.6 million on March 18.
🚨 Jean-Michel Aulas en passe de racheter la LDLC Arena ? 🏀
— 𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 (@GonebackOff) April 2, 2024
Dans un communiqué diffusé ce matin, Eagle Group a annoncé être rentré en exclusivité avec Holnest pour la cession de la LDLC Arena ! 🙃
Jean-Michel Aulas, entre autres, pourrait donc devenir le futur propriétaire de… pic.twitter.com/nRvslOpMEs
