3 min learnAug 17, 2026 09:58 PM IST
Gerard Piqué has turn into the most recent footballer to spend money on chess, with the Spanish soccer legend approaching board as a ‘strategic shareholder’ in World Chess League franchise FYERS American Gambits. This comes simply months after Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland had invested in Norway Chess to launch the Complete Chess World Championship Tour.
An announcement in regards to the growth posted by the Gambits didn’t point out the extent of Pique’s funding.
Pique joins former worldwide cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who can be a strategic shareholder on the franchise. American Gambits will compete in its third GCL season from September third to thirteenth in Bengaluru with a roster that has world chess championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sara Khadem and Marc’Andria Maurizzi, with Indian grandmaster Srinath Narayanan on the helm.
American Gambits unveil their fan jersey for the fourth season of the World Chess League. (Photograph: American Gambits)“All through my profession, I’ve all the time been fascinated about initiatives that rethink how sport connects with followers. Chess has fascinated me for a very long time due to its depth, its international enchantment and the unbelievable psychological power it calls for,” mentioned Pique. “What attracted me to FYERS American Gambits is the ambition to take chess to a brand new stage and its long-term imaginative and prescient for the game. I’m happy to affix as a strategic shareholder and need the crew each success within the season forward.”
In the meantime, Prachura PP, the CEO and Co-owner of the Gambits, mentioned:
“Gerard Piqué’s funding is a landmark second for our franchise and, we consider, for the evolution of chess as a worldwide sport. Gerard understands what it takes to construct a worldwide sporting property, one that mixes elite competitors with compelling storytelling, passionate communities and a powerful reference to followers. His perception in our imaginative and prescient is extremely significant as we glance to construct a franchise that may characterize the way forward for chess.
“Chess immediately is at an inflection level. The expertise is extraordinary, the viewers is rising quickly and the game has all of the substances to turn into a very international phenomenon. We wish American Gambits to be on the centre of that transformation bringing collectively one of the best gamers, bold companions and a brand new era of followers. Gerard becoming a member of us is a robust validation of that imaginative and prescient and opens up thrilling prospects for what we will construct collectively.”
