Monetary issues proceed to plague Nissan, which is reportedly seeking to promote its majority stake within the Yokohama F Marinos soccer membership.
Based on The Nikkei, Nissan has begun on the lookout for corporations to purchase its 75 per cent share within the soccer membership. The newspaper’s sources say Nissan has approached a number of corporations already, and is seeking to have a closing checklist of potential patrons by the top of 12 months.
If all goes to plan, Nissan hopes to finish the sale a while in 2026. It’s unclear how a lot cash promoting the Marinos will rake in. There’s no phrase on whether or not Nissan plans to resume its naming rights to the workforce’s 75,000-seat dwelling stadium, which lapse in February 2026.
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Nissan’s funding the Marinos was secure below earlier restructuring plans, however the depth of the Japanese automaker’s present disaster has pressured CEO Ivan Espinosa, who was appointed in April this 12 months, to go away no stone unturned as the corporate slashes prices and raises funds.
The Yokohama-based agency has been skating on skinny monetary ice for about two years. The magnitude of its issues grew to become clear in Might when it introduced a lack of ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1bn) for the monetary 12 months ending March 2025.
As a part of Mr Espinosa’s Re:Nissan restoration plan, it’ll reduce its world workforce by 15 per cent or 20,000 folks, and shut seven of its 17 automotive vegetation. Nissan has additionally paused growth of autos and expertise due for launch after March 2027, requested suppliers to just accept late funds, and could promote its world HQ.
Within the world gross sales race, Nissan has dropped out of the highest 10 for the primary time in 16 years, with the Yokohama agency pipped by Suzuki in accordance with figures revealed for the primary half of 2025.
Nissan, following within the footsteps of different giant Japanese corporations, based the novice Nissan Motor Soccer Membership in 1972.
The membership modified its title in 1992 to Nissan FC Yokohama Marinos when it grew to become a founding member of the J League, Japan’s first absolutely skilled soccer competitors, which initially featured 10 groups, three of which had been owned by automakers (Toyota, Mazda and Nissan).
In 1999 it merged with crosstown rivals Yokohama Flügels to grow to be the Yokohama F Marinos.
In 2014, the Metropolis Soccer Group – guardian firm of Manchester Metropolis FC, in addition to Melbourne Metropolis FC – purchased a 25 per cent stake within the Marinos. It’s unknown if Metropolis is taken with buying a part of Nissan’s stake within the Yokohama membership, though a international entity it’s barred from taking a majority shareholding.
The Marinos have an extended historical past with historical past with Australians, with former Socceroos and Tottenham Hotspurs coach Ange Postecoglou guiding them to the J1 League title in 2019. Since then they’ve employed numerous Aussie managers, together with Kevin Muscat, Harry Kewell and Patrick Kisnorbo.
