126 Investing in European Football: What American Investors Need to Know with Raphael Gellar

Raphael Gellar is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Forward Sports Group, a boutique football consultancy that advises North American investors, owners, players, coaches, and clubs across the global football ecosystem. Before entering the consulting world, Raphael spent nearly a decade as an internationally syndicated football journalist with work published by the BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, FourFourTwo, AFP, and more.In this episode, Raphael shares what he's learned from helping investors evaluate and acquire European football clubs. We discuss why investing in Europe differs from American sports ownership, the biggest mistakes new owners make, how globalization is reshaping club ownership, and why understanding local culture is just as important as understanding financials. Raphael also explains how he helps match investors with the right opportunities based on their goals, values, and long-term vision.