Infantino is plotting a sell-off of World Cup commercial rights to investors, according to The Telegraph, in plans described by one senior football figure as a “nuclear bomb.”
Under the proposal, all of FIFA’s commercial rights, spanning broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing, would be privately owned through a new entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion.
UEFA has responded furiously, stating football’s “soul and governance” are not assets to trade, and that “none of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.” The European body confirmed it was exploring its legal options.
FIFA maintains the plan would expand football development funding to over $10 billion, offering all 211 member associations access to up to $20 million each in one-off capital, funded through FFE’s planned $4.2 billion capital raise. Infantino described it as “the democratisation of football worldwide.”
Billionaire investor Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal is set to lead the proposed investor group, with JP Morgan overseeing the deal and Greg Maffei, former Liberty Media chief executive during its ownership of Formula One, acting as commercial adviser.
Infantino could become commissioner of the new entity once his FIFA presidency ends in 2031, a role in which he would expect to earn millions. FIFA has denied this was already being planned, though acknowledged the FIFA president “will and must have leading roles” in the entity if approved.
The plans emerge amid mounting pressure on Infantino, including a US congressional request for FIFA’s records on its dealings with Donald Trump, and public criticism from La Liga president Javier Tebas over Infantino’s recent defence of his presidency.
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