Alexandre Pato is about to return to the world of football, but not as a player. The investment group SAC (short for Sport Alpha Capital), of which the former Milan striker — and former player for plenty of clubs around the world — is a member, is close to acquiring a stake in Northampton Town, the English League Two club. SAC is an investment consortium active in Brazil and England, led by Brazilian entrepreneur Joao Xavier. In January, they had already tried to buy another club, Colchester United, but the talks fell through. In April, rumours began to circulate about Northampton, with the club’s chairman saying he was in talks with a “well-funded” group. Slowly, the rumours became reality: first Pato started following the team on Instagram, then he turned up at a pre-season game against Coventry City, and eventually the deal was approved.
On September 4, the group received approval from the Independent Football Regulator — a state regulator overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport — and the English Football League, the body that runs the three divisions below the Premier League, to acquire a stake in Northampton Town, who currently play in the fourth tier of the English football pyramid. “It was a detailed and rigorous process that involved a thorough examination of the proposed investment, the ownership structure, financial sustainability, and the suitability and financial soundness of those involved,” said club chairman Kelvin Thomas. “As supporters will be able to see from their varied backgrounds, there is a genuine passion for football within the group. Several investors have already visited Northampton, spent time at the club and attended matches,” Thomas concluded.
The club’s situation, however, is not particularly encouraging. They were relegated to League Two last season and currently sit 14th in the table, with just six points after their first five league games. Their last season in the second division dates back to 1966, a year after their only appearance in the First Division, the forerunner of today’s Premier League. Since then, Northampton have never gone beyond the third tier, with several spells in the divisions below. Pato’s arrival, meanwhile, is part of an increasingly established trend: Lionel Messi is just one of many footballers who, even before retiring, have become sports investors and club co-owners. England is an especially attractive destination in this respect, even if, as in the case of Northampton Town, the clubs involved are smaller and lack any great history. Clearly, these kinds of deals have to make sense, both financially and in terms of the profile they offer.