The new owner of Leyton Orient Football Club is among the new investors ploughing millions of pounds into a European strand of American football in a deal to be announced as soon as this week.
Sky News has learnt that Goal Line Sports – which is controlled by David Gandler, who recently bought League One Leyton Orient – is one of three strategic investors backing the expansion of the European League of Football (ELF).
The other new investors are 885 Capital, whose sports portfolio includes the new Baller League, and Oakvale Ventures, the investment arm of sports advisory group Oakvale.
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Sources said the new round of funding was worth more than $10m, with reports suggesting that Mr Gandler plans to acquire a new ELF franchise in London.
ELF, which is now in its fifth season, consists of 16 teams, including the Madrid Bravos, Paris Musketeers and Frankfurt Galaxy.
Media rights to the tournament have been sold in North America, South America, Africa and Europe, with 101 games being broadcast each season.
This year’s Championship-deciding contest will take place on September 7 at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena.
The new investors are understood to have been drawn to ELF by the opportunity to access a European market comprising 500m people, with interest in American football said to be growing.
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Total attendances last year hit more than 470,000.
The ELF did not respond to several requests for comment.
