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The richest owners in soccer: Mohammed bin Salman, Sheikh Mansour, Stan Kroenke...

In recent times, we have seen soccer transform from a game into a business venture for the world’s wealthiest. After Newcastle United's takeover this week, there's a new top dog in town.

From Stan Kroenke to the new kid on the block Mohammed bin Salman - Planet Sport takes a look at the current richest owners in world soccer.

Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, Newcastle United - £320bn

After 14 years, Mike Ashley will be leaving Newcastle United and opening the door to Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, who hold an astounding £320bn to their name.

Newcastle fans can begin to wave years of poor investment goodbye as the Saudi Arabian state will be taking over on Tyneside.
The Toon can start looking forward to training ground developments, stadium refurbishment, as well as potential multi-million pound superstars at St James' Park.
The PIF invests on behalf of the Saudi Arabian government, with deputy Prime Minister and the Prince Crown bin Salman overlooking things. With a country running a football club, surely Newcastle will be in safe hands?

Sheikh Mansour, Manchester City - £23.3bn

Sheikh Mansour bought the Blue side of Manchester in 2008, and ever since his investment they have dominated English and European soccer.

Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio AgueroKevin de Bruyne - the list goes on and on. Mansour is responsible for Manchester City's success, and although he doesn't handle the club himself, the money still comes out of his pocket.

The Emirati is the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, who has created the City group, which includes clubs such as New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and Yokohama F. Marinos, as well as Man City in his soccer empire.

Under his reign, City have been accused of breaching Financial Fair Play and remain under scrutiny by the Premier League.
A recent investigation by UEFA culminated in an £8.8m fine and a two-year European ban being overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Under Mansour, City will continue to succeed.

Dietrich Mateschitz, RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig - £15.7bn

The Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz earned his billions in quite an unusual way. While trying to cure a hangover in Thailand, a sip of Thai Red Bull would be the gateway to his wealthy future.
After reaching out to the founders, they let him expand the brand across the globe to gain further financial success, offering him a 49% stake in the business.

With a change in formula and it hitting the shelves in the US in the 90s, Red Bull quickly grew into a multi-billion dollar company.

With investments into Formula One - buying and renaming Jaguar Racing to the Red Bull Racing we know today - Red Bull and Mateschitz became one of the biggest organisations within sport.

Mateschitz would expand his sporting enterprise, buying out and rebranding Austrian side SV Austria Salzburg to RB Salzburg, before creating RB Leipzig in 2009.

RB Leipzig have produced the likes of Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, Joshua Kimmich, and many more, turning Leipzig into a European soccer power.

Andrea Agnelli, Juventus - £15.7bn

The Agnelli family, the original founders of Fiat motor company, took over Juventus in 1967, with the majority of the family having stakes in the club.

In May 2010, Andrea Agnelli was appointed Chairman of the Board and transformed Juventus, going from scandal to title.
Agnelli took over during the time of Juventus' match-fixing allegations. However, he oversaw the transition into their new stadium (the Allianz), balancing finances, as well as winning nine Serie A titles in a row from 2011/12 to 2019/20.

He also oversaw Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to 'The Old Lady'. Although it didn't work out as well as fans thought it would, Agnelli continues his family tradition, running the club the way it should be.

Roman Abramovich, Chelsea - £9.6bn

Roman Abramovich entered the Premier League as it was transitioning into the world's greatest league.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United - then there was Abramovich's Chelsea.

The Russian made his money many ways but had huge success and financial gain from his petrochemicals and oil trading. He bought the club in 2003, transforming the club into one of England's best.

Hiring Jose Mourinho as boss in 2004 would be one of his greatest achievements as his Chelsea won the Premier League for this first time in their history in 2004/05.

Abramovich's Chelsea would go onto win another four Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League twice in 2012 and 2021. Money well spent for the Russian.

Philip Anschutz, LA Galaxy - £8.1bn

The American businessman is seen as one of the main reasons why the MLS is still running, despite being hit hard with financial issues.
Philip Anschutz made his money after buying out his father's Oil drilling company, which allowed him to venture into sport.

He purchased stakes in Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, and D.C. United, before selling the majority of them during the MLS financial crisis.

LA Galaxy are one of world's biggest names in soccer, especially during the 2010's when the likes of David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic travelled across the Atlantic to play for Anschutz's side.

LA Galaxy are prominent in the MLS, winning the MLS Cup five times, the Supporters Shield four times, as well as the Western Conference eight times.

Stan Kroenke, Arsenal - £6.8bn

Stank Kroenke has faced huge criticism as Arsenal owner despite having bucket loads to invest. The American made his money as a shopping centre and apartment building mogul through The Kroenke Group.
He is also married to Walmart heiress Ann Walton who has a net worth of £8.7bn.
Kroenke, like most club owners, progressed into sport, starting in the NFL and NBA with the LA Rams, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids.
In 2007, the American bought ITV plc's stake of 9.9% in Arsenal Holdings plc before completing his takeover in 2011, increasing his shares to 62.89% by purchasing the stakes of Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith.
He has further increased his shares beyond 90%, taking full control of the north London club. Under his regime - since 2011 - Arsenal have won four FA Cups and four Community Shields.

READ MORE: Gerrard, Conte, Howe or Martinez? Who do the bookies have as favourite to replace Bruce at Newcastle

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