The two managing partners of the Lenore Sports Partners (LSP) fund, Jean-Marc Chapus and Elliot Hayes, have been identified as new shareholders, holding 5.24% of the company’s capital.
Jean-Marc Chapus, a Harvard alumnus, founded and manages Crescent Capital, primarily focusing on asset management in the financial sector. He has invested individually in sports, notably in the Milwaukee Brewers, a team in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Elliot Hayes, who also attended Harvard, has less experience in the sports world. He was part of a consortium that acquired 80% of Nice in 2016. This group later sold the club to INEOS, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who has interests in Manchester United, Lausanne, a cycling team, and a third of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
Chapus and Lenore Sports Partners’ interest in Benfica is not new, as reports in 2024 had suggested Chapus as a potential buyer for up to 25% of shares, specifically through the acquisition of José António dos Santos’s stake.
The transaction, now confirmed, is prominently featured on Lenore’s official website, stating that Benfica is “the principal investment in football/sports” for the fund.
Lenore Sports Partners have purchased the 753,615 Benfica SAD shares that were previously seized from former president Luís Filipe Vieira, as announced by the club today.
In their statement, the LSP highlighted “decades of experience in sports, finance, real estate, media, and marketing,” aiming to be a “partner of the club as it navigates a more competitive football landscape, exploring opportunities in markets and sectors where Benfica SAD has significant growth potential.”
The duo expressed their satisfaction with the acquisition, indicating they will remain silent until the season’s end and have no intention of interfering in sports management.
“We are honored to become shareholders of Benfica SAD and are committed to being a productive partner that collaborates with the leadership of Benfica SAD and the club, including expanding revenue sources for Sport Lisboa e Benfica,” the statement reads.
[Updated at 20:01]
