The Spanish women's professional league, known as Liga F, announced this week that it has accepted a €55 million investment from Pau Gasol's venture capital firm, Gasol16 Ventures. The funding, endorsed by twelve of the league's sixteen clubs, marks the largest private capital commitment ever made to a European women's league.
Investment Details and Revenue-Sharing Model
Under the agreement, Gasol16 will receive a share of the league's broadcast and sponsorship revenues ranging from 35 % to 49 % over the next twenty‑five years. In exchange, the league gains immediate capital that can be directed toward club development, player visibility and infrastructure upgrades.
The deal also obliges participating clubs to allocate a portion of future earnings to the league, a clause designed to ensure continued financial inflow but which has drawn criticism for potentially locking clubs into long‑term revenue sharing.
Opposition from Traditional Powerhouses
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the league's most prominent clubs, voted against the proposal. Both clubs warned that the revenue‑sharing arrangement could undermine their sporting autonomy and raise questions about the league's long‑term financial health.
Despite the dissent, the majority vote reflects a strategic push by smaller clubs to accelerate progress. They argue that the infusion of capital will help close the gap with the dominant teams, improve facilities and make the league more attractive to sponsors and media partners.
Broader Context and Audience Growth
Liga F has been experiencing a steady rise in popularity, recording an 11.2 % increase in television audiences during the 2025‑2026 season. To capitalize on this momentum, the league has moved four matches per matchday to free‑to‑air television, a step that contributed to the most‑watched game in league history averaging 685,335 viewers.
The investment is positioned as a catalyst for further commercial expansion, with league officials preparing to negotiate the next cycle of domestic and international media‑rights deals. Gasol, who has a track record of supporting women's sports in the United States, described the partnership as a "transformative moment" for the league.
Challenges remain, however. Retaining top talent, maintaining competitive balance and ensuring that the financial benefits are distributed equitably across all clubs will be critical as the league moves forward. The coming months will test whether the Gasol‑backed model can deliver sustainable growth without compromising the sport's integrity.