Black Knight Football Finalizes Full Acquisition of France’s FC Lorient

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 28, 2026 – By Angela Gray

Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), the ambitious multi-club ownership group led by American businessman William P. Foley II, has solidified its control over French side FC Lorient, acquiring the remaining 60% of equity to become the sole shareholder. The move, announced today by parent company Cannae Holdings, Inc., marks a significant deepening of the French club's integration into a rapidly expanding global football network.

Loïc Féry, who has presided over FC Lorient since 2009 and was the previous majority owner, will remain in his role as president. In a strong show of faith in the project, Féry is taking a portion of his consideration in BKFC shares, joining the very entity that now owns his lifelong club. This transaction finalizes a process that began in 2023 when BKFC first purchased a significant minority stake with a pathway to full ownership.

Foley's Expanding Empire

The acquisition is the latest strategic play by William P. Foley II, a seasoned dealmaker with a net worth estimated at $2.7 billion and a proven track record in professional sports. Foley is best known for building the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights from an expansion team in 2016 into Stanley Cup champions by 2023, a feat that defied all expectations. He is now applying that same ambitious, hands-on philosophy to world football.

BKFC, backed by a $249 million investment from Cannae Holdings for an approximate 44% stake, is designed to be a dominant force in the sport. The multi-club model aims to create a symbiotic ecosystem where clubs share data, scouting networks, and player development strategies. The portfolio now includes 100% ownership of England's AFC Bournemouth and FC Lorient, a majority stake in Portugal's Moreirense FC, and strategic affiliations with clubs like Hibernian FC in Scotland, Auckland FC in New Zealand, and Orlando City SC in the United States.

“We're delighted to take the next step with FC Lorient, and to welcome Loïc to BKFC,” said William P. Foley, II. “It is a great source of pride to contribute to the future success of a club celebrating its centennial. By bringing together people, talent and networks, we're building a competitive and attractive platform at BKFC.”

A New Era for FC Lorient

For FC Lorient, a club founded in 1926 with a rich history in the Brittany region, full integration into the BKFC network promises an era of enhanced financial stability and global resources. After a successful 2024-25 season that saw them win the Ligue 2 title with 71 points to secure promotion, the club currently sits a respectable 9th in the Ligue 1 table. This acquisition is poised to provide the backing needed to cement their place in France's top flight and pursue greater ambitions.

The continuity of Loïc Féry as president is a crucial element, ensuring that the club's local identity and “DNA” are preserved. Féry has been the face of the club for over 15 years, overseeing its 2002 Coupe de France victory and navigating the highs and lows of French football.

“Bill Foley's numerous successes in professional sports have already been well demonstrated,” Féry noted. “For more than two years, we have experienced and valued this partnership with BKFC, building synergies that consider each party’s needs, strengths, and identity. Joining BKFC represents a real opportunity to secure an ambitious future for the club.”

Central to Lorient's value is its highly regarded youth academy, a consistent producer of world-class talent. This aligns perfectly with BKFC's strategy, which views France's Ligue 1 as “The League of Talents” and a priority market for recruiting and developing elite players.

Synergies in Action

The theoretical benefits of the multi-club model are already manifesting as tangible results across the BKFC network. AFC Bournemouth, the flagship English club, is a prime example. The Cherries finished the 2024-25 Premier League season in 9th place with a club-record 56 points. The club’s shrewd transfer strategy, enabled by the network's scouting and financial power, saw them sell players Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez for nearly $120 million, realizing an $81 million profit. This financial success is being reinvested, with a two-phase stadium renovation underway.

The partnership between Bournemouth and Lorient has already seen multiple player transactions, demonstrating a fluid pathway for talent across the Channel. This full acquisition is expected to accelerate that process.

Ryan Caswell, CEO of Cannae Holdings, emphasized this point. “Acquiring the remaining 60% of FC Lorient further cements Black Knight Football Club as a leading global multi-club owner and operator,” he stated. “The acquisition allows BKFC to better partner with FC Lorient and further integrate operations and personnel across the platform, which will drive better results at each club.”

The inclusion of Portugal's Moreirense FC adds another strategic dimension, providing a key entry point into Europe for promising South American players who can adapt in a Portuguese-speaking environment before moving elsewhere in the network.

Reshaping the 'League of Talents'

BKFC’s consolidation of FC Lorient is emblematic of a wider trend reshaping European football. Foreign investment and multi-club ownership are no longer novelties but are becoming dominant models, altering the competitive and financial dynamics of domestic leagues. For a league like Ligue 1, which prides itself on player development, these networks offer both immense opportunity and a challenge to traditional structures.

By providing FC Lorient with global strategic resources and significant financial backing, BKFC is equipping the club to compete more effectively against traditional powerhouses. The model allows for more strategic squad building, where a player developed in Lorient's academy could gain experience at Moreirense before making a mark at Bournemouth in the Premier League, all while remaining within the same ownership family.

While this new era brings promise, the challenge for BKFC and Foley will be to deliver on-field success while respecting the deep community roots of a centennial club like FC Lorient, which plays its matches at the 18,000-seat Stade Yves Allainmat, a venue that is as famous for hosting the annual European Celtic Festival as it is for football. Féry's continued presence suggests a commitment to balancing global ambition with local heritage as the club embarks on its next chapter under a new, powerful banner.