gareth bale has launched Juggernaut Diversified Sports with private-equity firm Juggernaut Capital Partners, giving him a new vehicle to invest across teams and leagues. He also said Cardiff City is still not off the table, keeping his long-running interest in the club alive.
The fund will target men’s and women’s sports, including soccer clubs and youth sports, across North America and Europe. Bale and Juggernaut founder John Shulman are meeting with the owner of a different European soccer club on Monday.
Bale and Shulman
Juggernaut said the fund will be smaller than $1 billion. That places Bale’s push inside a narrower deal-making lane than the biggest private sports vehicles, while still leaving room for club-level investments.
Shulman has already backed sports through 3 Step and Mitchell & Ness. Juggernaut itself was formed in 2009, and the new fund extends that sports record into a broader mix that includes both men’s and women’s properties.
Cardiff City pursuit
Bale has been trying to buy Cardiff City for some time. He said, “there’s those heartstrings that pull there,” and added, “It’s about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take.”
He also said, “That doesn’t mean Cardiff is off the table. But I think now we have a bit of time, and will look around.” Vincent Tan remains the current owner, and Bale’s previous approach was rebuffed.
The timing matters because Bale retired from professional soccer in 2023 at 33 years old after a career built at Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, plus a 2022 stint with Los Angeles Football Club in MLS. Cardiff’s status adds another layer: the club was in EFL League One this year after relegation following a poor 2024-25 season in the EFL Championship, then earned promotion back to the EFL Championship for next season after a strong 2025-26 campaign.
The new fund gives Bale a formal route into sports ownership while he keeps one specific club in view. Cardiff is still in the conversation, and the meeting on Monday suggests the search is moving beyond one target.
