Powerleague to extend sports after acquisition – Daily Business

Powerleague, the five-a-side football company, will seek to extend its interests in other sports after being acquired by UK-based private equity business Broadsword Investment Management.

Former owner Patron Capital, which bought the company in 2009 for £42.5 million, has sold it for what has been described as a “good return”.

Powerleague is introducing padel to nearly half of its clubs nationwide, starting in Birmingham and London and then Manchester this year. The business also recently invested in new sites in Stoke and Bradford, and is actively seeking sites in all major UK cities and towns.

Under the deal with Broadsword, existing management will remain in place, led by CEO Christian Rose.

Daniel Sennett, co-founder and CEO of Broadsword, said: “We look forward to supporting the excellent management team in their efforts to build on the success of this world-class small-sided football business, as well as assisting them as they capitalise on the significant opportunity to grow into padel.

“With a national footprint and nine million annual players, the opportunity for Powerleague to become a multi-sports operator is exciting. We are looking forward to going on that journey with Christian and his team.”