Stephenson Harwood advises Olympique Lyonnais Groupe on €385 million debt refinancing

Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Olympique Lyonnais Groupe (OL Groupe) on the refinancing of the majority of its debt and that of its subsidiary Olympique Lyonnais SASU for a total amount of €385 million. The transaction is the first securitisation for a French football club, a sophisticated and innovative financing structure in the high level professional sports industry.

The refinancing allows Olympique Lyonnais Groupe and Olympique Lyonnais SASU to repay an outstanding long-term stadium debt, its Revolving Credit Facility line and PGE loans contracted during the COVID period. Other long-term subordinated debt will be also repaid.

Paris-based partner Florent Rigaud and associate Hugo Le Ridou advised Olympique Lyonnais Groupe.