Former Aston Villa and Angel City sporting director Eni Aluko is part of a groundbreaking multi-club ownership group, Mercury 13, which has pledged a staggering $100 million investment in women’s football clubs across Europe and Latin America.
Led by Greek-Argentine entrepreneur Victoire Cogevina Reynal, Mercury 13 aims to revolutionize women’s football by identifying and investing in clubs with the potential to become the sport’s next powerhouses.
The group is currently in talks to acquire a controlling stake in English second-division club Lewes FC, with negotiations for top-tier teams in Spain and Italy also in advanced stages, per a report by The Athletic. Plans to expand into Argentina and Uruguay are on the horizon.
Lewes FC, known for their commitment to gender equality in football, particularly caught Mercury 13’s attention.
The club has been a trailblazer in equal pay and resource allocation between their men’s and women’s teams, setting a standard for inclusivity and fairness in the sport.
Speaking about the partnership with Lewes FC, Cogevina emphasized the club’s alignment with Mercury 13’s core values of equality, equity, and community impact.
Lewes FC CEO Maggie Murphy echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm about the potential for collaboration and growth.
In addition to Aluko, Mercury 13’s esteemed group members include former FIFA chief innovation officer Nancy Hensley, ex-Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Arianna Criscione, and Ebru Koksal, a pioneering figure in Turkish football and European club governance.
Despite primarily focusing on punditry since leaving her role at Angel City earlier this year, Aluko’s involvement in Mercury 13 underscores her ongoing commitment to advancing women’s football.
As a respected voice in the sport, Aluko’s expertise and passion are poised to play a significant role in driving positive change and investment in women’s football on a global scale.
Aluko’s recent participation in ITV’s punditry team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup further solidifies her dedication to elevating the visibility and recognition of women’s football worldwide.
