In a bold venture beyond the tennis court, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has become a part-owner of Le Mans FC, a newly promoted Ligue 2 club in France’s second-tier football league. Announced on August 1, 2025, this high-profile investment sees the Serbian tennis legend teaming up with former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen, alongside a Brazilian investment consortium, OutField, and Georgios Frangulis, CEO of the global health-food brand OakBerry. “I think everyone knows my passion for football, which is leading me to take this step today,” Massa said, emphasizing the unique synergy between Le Mans’ motorsport heritage and this star-studded group of investors. The move marks a growing trend of elite athletes crossing into football ownership, promising to elevate the club’s ambitions as it prepares for its Ligue 2 campaign starting August 9 against Guingamp.
Le Mans FC, founded in 1985, has a storied yet turbulent history. The club, based in a city synonymous with the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, enjoyed spells in Ligue 1 but faced financial ruin in 2013, leading to relegation to France’s sixth tier. A remarkable turnaround, fueled by three consecutive promotions between 2017 and 2019, restored their professional status, and last season’s second-place finish in the National league secured their return to Ligue 2. “The uniqueness of this fund also lies in its contribution from high-level athletes,” said Le Mans president Thierry Gomez, highlighting the value of Djokovic, Massa, and Magnussen’s involvement. “Novak Djokovic, Felipe Massa, and Kevin Magnussen will be part of the adventure.” The club envisions their star power and competitive mindset driving its goal to become “a permanent presence in French professional football.”
Djokovic, whose 24 Grand Slam titles make him the most decorated male tennis player in history, brings a reputation for mental resilience that Le Mans believes will enhance its brand. “Djokovic, the most successful player in history, whose mental strength and unique approach will bring considerable added value,” the club stated. His love for football is well-documented, from pickup games with fellow pros at Indian Wells to charity matches showcasing his soccer skills. Despite a challenging 2025 season—marked by a hamstring injury at the Australian Open, losses to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and a withdrawal from the Canadian Open—Djokovic remains a formidable force, eyeing a comeback at the US Open. His investment reflects a strategic move to diversify his legacy, aligning with other sports icons like Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg, who have backed clubs like Birmingham City and Swansea City.
The inclusion of Massa and Magnussen, with 15 and 10 Formula 1 seasons respectively, ties Le Mans’ football ambitions to its motorsport legacy. “Le Mans FC has a strong connection with motorsport, and when my good friend and partner at Oakberry, Georgios Frangulis, presented the project to me, I wanted to be a part of it—especially alongside people I deeply respect, like Djokovic and Magnussen,” Massa said. The Brazilian, a former Ferrari driver, sees the investment as a chance to bridge football and motorsport, leveraging the city’s global sporting fame. Magnussen, a Danish driver who raced for Haas, adds to the high-octane allure of the group, which Frangulis, the boyfriend of three-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka, describes as an “exceptional” project. “Le Mans has a unique name in world sport, and the sense of belonging the club can offer makes this project exceptional,” Frangulis noted.
OutField, co-founded by Pedro Olivera, leads the investment, bringing Latin American flair to the venture. “You know my love for the game… and who better than the Brazilian team symbolizes, in the world of football, the beautiful game?” Gomez remarked, celebrating the fund’s cultural fit. While financial details remain undisclosed, the investment aims to stabilize Le Mans’ economic model amid the evolving landscape of French football, where clubs like PSG, the reigning Champions League champions, attract significant capital. “We have to be aware that the economic model of football has changed,” Gomez said, underscoring the need to adapt to compete.
As Le Mans prepares to face Guingamp, the involvement of Djokovic, Massa, and Magnussen has sparked excitement among fans, with social media buzzing about the “soccer-F1 fusion brand.” This high-profile ownership group not only elevates the club’s profile but also signals its ambition to return to Ligue 1, filling the MMArena with passionate supporters. For Djokovic, this venture is a new chapter, blending his competitive spirit with a vision to shape football’s future in a city steeped in sporting history.
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