Current proprietors of Kansas City-based soccer team KC Current have acquired the Danish women's soccer club Køge.
Let's dive into the world of Angie and Chris Long, the powerhouse duo shaking up the sports scene with their unconventional strategies. Ever since they scored the Kansas City Current NWSL expansion team in 2020, they've been leaving their mark, constructing the first practice facility and stadium solely for an NWSL team, setting them back approximately $160 million.
Now, they're steering their ambitions toward a new horizon - the acquisition of the Danish soccer club HB Køge Women through Ballard Capital, a fresh investment company founded by the Longs. This venture marks Ballard's debut, a name inspired by one of their favorite Telluride peaks.
Ballard and the Current might be two distinct entities, but Angie believes there's a symbiotic relationship at play. In a captivating video interview, she elucidated, "There are a lot of synergies, and there are definitely a lot of economies of scale. And there [are] a lot of learnings from different leagues and different competitions across the world."
Their initial foray into the Danish soccer club business came after they parted ways with Capelli Sport, who previously owned the club. Due to the licenses for both men's and women's teams being held under the same umbrella, the Longs' takeover necessitated a separation of the teams. Financial particulars weren't disclosed, but it's safe to say that Køge's operations pale in comparison to the Current's estimated $35 million local revenue and fully sold-out games at the stunning $140 million, 11,500-capacity CPKC Stadium. Last year, Køge games typically drew 1,000 to 2,000 fans, with the stadium undergoing an expansion to host 6,000 people.
Køge is situated roughly 25 miles south of Copenhagen and has a rich background in football, having been formed through the merger of KøgeBøldklub and Herfølge Bøldklub in 2009. The club claimed the top spot in the Kvindeliga, the highest level of women's football in Denmark, for three consecutive seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and competed in the UEFA Women's Champions League during those years.
Multi-club ownership is gaining traction in men's soccer, but it's relatively new territory for women's soccer. The NWSL witnessed a surge in multi-club ownership, with the Washington Spirit's Michele Kang leading the charge with the acquisition of France's Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and England's London City Lionesses in 2023. Bay FC owner, Sixth Street, launched a multi-club women's soccer organization, Bay Collective, in January.
The Longs eyed European clubs for over a year, seeking a team where they could nurture talent and build a strong connection with the community. Their strategic plan? Acquire, develop, and make a difference.
By 2009, the Longs transformed their Kansas City-based investment firm, Palmer Square Capital Management, from $13 million in assets to a staggering $34 billion. Angie confirmed that Ballard is not a fund but an investment vehicle exclusively for the Longs, emphasizing their long-term vision: "We're very long-term investors here looking to build on something for decades and decades," she said.
While they've proven their prowess in soccer, Angie didn't rule out investments in other sports or potentially in men's leagues. "We're going to be looking at it from an investment lens and an opportunistic lens and places where we think we will have a really strong return on the investment that we make," she noted.
The Current's value has skyrocketed since the Longs footed a $3 million expansion fee in 2020. The club landed the second spot in Sportico's 2024 NWSL team valuations, boasting a hefty $182 million worth. currently, the Current is leading the 2025 NWSL standings after 10 games.
With their sights set on becoming the best team in the world, Angie expresses her ambitious aspirations for the Current, "I think it's certainly helpful to have more places where you are playing and learning and seeking talent and developing talent."
- The Longs' expansion team, the Kansas City Current, has a stadium valued at approximately $140 million, a testament to their significant investments in the sports scene.
- Angie Long believes in a symbiotic relationship between the Kansas City Current and their new venture, Ballard Capital, citing synergies, economies of scale, and learning opportunities from various leagues and competitions worldwide.
- The Longs' Ballard Capital recently acquired Danish soccer club HB Køge Women, marking their foray into European leagues, specifically the Danish soccer scene.
- With a strategic goal of acquiring, developing, and making a difference, the Longs aim to nurture talent and build strong community connections in the European clubs they invest in.
- The valuation of the Kansas City Current has soared since the Longs' involvement, with the club currently ranking second in Sportico's 2024 NWSL team valuations, worth a hefty $182 million, and leading the 2025 NWSL standings after 10 games.
