West Ham are expected to complete a sale of 49% of their women’s team to Monarch Collective, the U.S. private equity fund specialising in women’s sports, in a deal that would value the Women’s Super League (WSL) side at around £55m.
The current West Ham holding company would retain majority control if the deal is completed by January.
Monarch Collective, co-founded by Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson, is the world’s largest women’s sports-dedicated investment fund. The firm’s all-female investor base includes philanthropist Melinda French Gates and former Netflix executives Cindy Holland and Annie Imhoff.
Nortman previously co-founded Angel City FC in Los Angeles, which set a record $250m valuation when it was sold last year. Monarch has since invested in NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy FC. Monarch is expected to bring additional capital and strategic expertise to West Ham Women, with plans to support squad investment.
The £27m cash injection from the investment would be used by the men’s team to invest in much-needed reinforcements this January, if the deal can be completed in the next few weeks.