In a significant development for French football, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, alongside former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen, has officially acquired a stake in Le Mans Football Club, a second-tier team based in France.

The club confirmed the high-profile investment on Friday, emphasizing the unique nature of the new financial infusion. Thierry Gomez, president of Le Mans, highlighted in a statement that the involvement of elite athletes like Djokovic, Massa, and Magnussen underscores a novel approach to sports investment, bringing both capital and recognition to the club.

These globally recognized sporting figures join a consortium of other new financial backers. Among them are OutField, a prominent Latin American sports investment firm, and Georgios Frangulis, the founder and chief executive of OakBerry, a successful açaí bowl chain with a rapidly expanding global presence.

Frangulis, known for his entrepreneurial success, also brings a personal connection to the world of tennis, being the boyfriend of three-time women’s Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka, further cementing the blend of sports and business acumen in this investment group.

Felipe Massa, a veteran of Formula 1, boasts an impressive racing pedigree. During his distinguished career, he secured eleven Grand Prix victories and achieved forty-one podium finishes, notably coming agonizingly close to clinching the 2008 F1 world championship while driving for Ferrari, ultimately losing by a single point to Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic season finale.

Kevin Magnussen, another esteemed Formula 1 participant, competed in nearly 200 races, earning a podium finish and a pole position during his tenure. The Danish driver’s contract with Haas expired at the end of the previous year, leaving him poised for new ventures, including this surprising foray into football investment.

The strategic alignment of high-caliber athletes with established sports investment firms and successful entrepreneurs like Frangulis represents a modern trend in sports finance, aiming to inject both financial stability and strategic insights into clubs seeking growth and broader appeal.

This investment by prominent sports figures is expected to elevate the profile of Le Mans FC significantly, potentially attracting new fans, corporate sponsors, and talent, thereby bolstering its ambitions to climb higher within the competitive echelons of French football.