Funds managed by Ares Management’s credit group closed on a $150 million preferred equity investment in Inter Miami CF. The transaction is in connection with Inter Miami’s announcement that Jorge and Jose Mas and David Beckham have finalized the buyout of Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son.
Founded in 2018 and based in South Florida, Inter Miami launched its inaugural season in March 2020, becoming Major League Soccer’s 25th professional sports club. Inter Miami became only the seventh club in league history to reach the MLS playoffs during its expansion season.
“We are excited to support the future growth of this franchise and look forward to a long-term relationship with both Inter Miami and MLS,” Jim Miller, partner and co-head of U.S. direct lending at Ares, said. “We also look forward to continuing to provide creative capital solutions to clubs and leagues in the sports franchise sector.”
“We believe that this investment is another example of how our significant scale and flexible capital enables us to provide compelling capital solutions to major sports league owners,” Mark Affolter, partner and co-head of U.S. direct lending at Ares, said. “We remain encouraged by the attractive industry tailwinds that are driving great demand for innovative investors like Ares in this sector.”
“We are incredibly proud of the premier club that we are building with our fans,” Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami CF, said. “We are also very pleased to have a strategic relationship with Ares to support our club at this important stage of our growth.”
