**Can Equity Crowdfunding Save Chinese Football?**
*Date: May 22, 2015, 10:13 PM*
The idea of using crowdfunding to support football clubs is gaining traction globally. One notable example is the Spanish club Evar, which successfully used equity crowdfunding to avoid relegation and climb to the top division. This model has now caught the attention of Chinese football fans and investors, who are looking for new ways to support their local teams.
AC Milan, one of the most popular football clubs in China, has sparked interest among fans with a potential crowdfunding deal. A group of Chinese companies, including Wahaha, Evergrande, Wanda, Huawei, and Alibaba, reportedly plans to acquire AC Milan through a mix of direct investment and public crowdfunding. While the deal is still unconfirmed, it highlights the growing influence of internet-based financing in sports.
Evar’s success story shows how crowdfunding can empower smaller clubs. Facing a huge financial challenge, the club turned to its global fanbase, raising over 1.98 million euros from more than 8,000 supporters across 48 countries. Fans could buy shares for as little as 50 euros, making ownership accessible and creating a strong sense of community. Chinese fans became one of the largest international shareholder groups, showing the potential of this model.
In China, however, equity crowdfunding faces stricter regulations. The Chinese Securities Association requires non-public issuance, limiting the number of investors and setting high minimum investment thresholds. Unlike Evar, where anyone could participate, Chinese sports crowdfunding is currently restricted to accredited investors. This makes it difficult for average fans to become shareholders.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Projects like the Chinese Baseball Culture Campaign have already raised millions through crowdfunding. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Renren Football Club aims to be the first fully crowd-funded team in China, relying entirely on online contributions for operations, management, and player recruitment.
While the legal framework remains restrictive, many believe that public equity crowdfunding will eventually become more accessible. If that happens, Chinese football fans may soon have real opportunities to own a piece of their favorite clubs—just like the fans of Evar did.
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