SAEDNEWS: Former Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder of the American Gambits chess team, joining athletes such as Erling Haaland who are investing in chess as it develops into a global entertainment product.
According to SaedNews: Gerard Pique, the former Spanish football star, has become a strategic investor in a global chess league team, joining sports figures such as Erling Haaland who are backing the rapid transformation of chess into a commercial entertainment product.
Pique, founder of the sports and media company Kosmos, became the latest shareholder of the American Gambits chess team after announcing the move at a press conference on Monday in Bengaluru, India.
The former Barcelona defender said chess has always attracted him because of its depth, worldwide appeal and the significant mental strength it requires.
The investment is part of a wider effort to turn chess from a traditional game into a global sports product through world championships, digital content, sponsorship deals and live streaming platforms.
Norwegian investor Morten Borg, who helped bring Manchester City striker Erling Haaland into the project, told Reuters that there are many similarities between football and chess. He said that while Haaland may appear like a “monster” on the pitch, top-level football also depends on timing and understanding key moments, creating parallels with chess.
Borg added that Haaland has been fascinated by the game’s focus on strategic thinking and the mental discipline needed to perform under pressure.
The connection reflects a broader trend in sports, with athletes increasingly using chess to improve concentration and decision-making.
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also repeatedly referred to chess and strategy during football discussions.
Several athletes from different sports, including former Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and tennis stars Boris Becker and Novak Djokovic, have publicly discussed using chess as a training tool.
Meanwhile, investors are seeing growing commercial opportunities in chess.
The Global Chess League, backed by Indian technology giant Tech Mahindra and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has sought to expand the sport’s appeal through shorter formats designed for television and digital audiences.
Borg believes chess is following the path of niche sports that successfully expanded beyond their traditional fan bases.
He said that if a sport with limited reach such as darts can be marketed successfully, chess, which is played by one billion people worldwide, represents a clear opportunity.
The American Gambits chess team will compete in the fourth edition of the Global Chess League, which will take place next month in Bengaluru.
