NBA Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver and ex-NBA player Steve Nash are part of a group that has taken control of Spanish second division side Mallorca, according to Dermot Corrigan of ESPN. The change in ownership was carried out via a capital investment of just over €20M ($21.5M), according to a club statement released when the deal was completed between Sarver and outgoing Owner Utz Claassen. The statement said, "The Administrative Council of Real Mallorca SAD in today's meeting has implemented the capital expansion agreed at the AGM last November 30 of 2015. ... This action will multiply by four the social capital of Real Mallorca." Sources said in December that Sarver and Nash "were working on a deal," and it was confirmed on Monday that the side has now been taken over by the group, under the name Liga ACQ Legacy Partners. Mallorca was relegated from La Liga in '13 after 16 consecutive seasons in the top flight and the club has been "wracked by financial and institutional turmoil through recent years." Sarver "also holds a share" of Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps. Mallorca is currently "joint 18th in the Segunda table." Nash reportedly "will have an important day-to-day role at the club." Ex-Brighton midfielder-turned-football law expert Maheta Molango is "also involved with the new owners" (ESPN, 1/5). SUPERDEPORTE reported Sarver said that his objective is to "return to the glory days of Mallorca." He said, "In the end, as always, the most important thing is winning games." Sarver, who attempted to acquire Levante last summer, and previously negotiated with Getafe and Espanyol, also said that his idea has always been to "invest long-term in La Liga." He said, "In Spain the economy is recovering and [La Liga] is a high-quality league. ... We want to be leaders in infrastructure and facilities and we want people to one day want to come to see Mallorca. This is not an adventure and we have a long-term commitment to the club" (SUPERDEPORTE, 1/5).
