New Ownership of Sevilla FC: The Key Players
Sevilla FC has entered a new era with fresh ownership, shifting from the historical management of José María del Nido and the Carrión, Alés, and Castro families. The club is now under the control of an Argentine investment group led by a little-known firm registered in Malta. Though Sergio Ramos is the figurehead of this transformation, a discreet financial consortium backs the venture. The acquisition was finalized at €450 million, subtracting the club’s net debt of €85 million, marking a pivotal moment for the sixth most successful team in LaLiga’s history, with seven Europa League titles to its name.
The Financial Backbone: The Werthein Family
According to reports from ‘El Confidencial’, a significant portion of the investment comes from the Werthein family, one of Argentina’s wealthiest clans with diverse business interests and political involvement in Javier Milei’s administration, where Gerard Werthein served as Foreign Minister. Through JB Capital Markets, led by Javier Botín, the family bid for Sevilla months ago. They have now partnered with a yet-to-be-disclosed Mexican investment fund to hand over the club to compatriot Martín Ink and his company, Five Eleven Capital.
Five Eleven Capital: An Emerging Ecosystem
Five Eleven Capital, established in January 2024, describes itself as “a business ecosystem centered around football.” Although still in its infancy, the firm aims to manage multiple football clubs in a manner similar to the City Football Group, which oversees teams like Manchester City and New York City FC. The philosophy is for each team to operate autonomously but within the same overarching structure, sharing financial methods, strategies, and talent for mutual benefit. Prior to acquiring Sevilla, Five Eleven Capital temporarily held stakes in Debrecen (Hungary) and Esporte Clube Juventude (Brazil) while also assisting in the sale of Espanyol by U.S. businessman Alan Pace.
Leadership and Vision: Martín Ink
Martín Ink, born in Argentina in 1974 and educated in Business Administration at the Argentine Business University (UADE), has experience as a director in various Argentine companies, including agricultural firm Goyaike and consultancy Euro-Latin Capital. His foray into football started with the social network for fans, Hinch.as, and later saw him involved in the Legends museum project in Madrid with compatriot Marcelo Ordás, leading to the creation of Five Eleven Capital.
Andrés Tortarolo and Marc Boixasa: Key Figures in the New Era
Alongside Ink, Andrés Tortarolo serves as Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer. He runs Vanquish Sportainment, which manages the image rights of players like Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo. Another pivotal figure is Marc Boixasa, the Chief Football Officer of Five Eleven Capital. He is expected to take on the sports leadership role at Sevilla, bringing invaluable experience from various roles in the City Football Group, including being a key collaborator with Pep Guardiola in Manchester.
Connections and Future Aspirations
The ties between Five Eleven Capital and Sevilla are deepening. Antonio Cordón, who previously worked with the consortium, facilitated a bridge between the group and the club, ultimately leading to the recent acquisition. With Sergio Ramos as the symbolic leader and the financial influence of the Werthein family, Martín Ink, the architect behind the largest football museum, and Marc Boixasa, formerly of Guardiola’s circle, are poised to shape the future of Sevilla FC.