Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has expanded his sports investment portfolio into tennis, acquiring a 51% stake in DLD, the company that operates Head and Mares in Brazil. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
The deal gives Ronaldo control of DLD, which manages the Brazilian operations of Head, one of the best-known brands in tennis equipment, as well as Mares, which specialises in water sports.
The investment comes after Ronaldo recently announced plans to develop a high-end private tennis club in Brazil, further signalling his growing interest in the sport and its wider business ecosystem.
The remaining 49% of DLD is held by a group of investors that includes former Brazilian tennis player Bruno Soares, as well as entrepreneurs João Rezende and Bruno Mendonça, Gustavo Maia and group representative Rafael Alcici Cardoso.
Head’s Brazilian business is growing
Ronaldo’s investment comes as DLD continues to post strong growth in Brazil. According to financial figures reported in the Brazilian press, the company increased its revenue by 26% over the past 12 months.
That performance extends a broader growth trend, with DLD recording average annual revenue growth of around 20% over the past three years.
The new ownership structure is expected to provide a platform for further commercial expansion, particularly for Head in the Brazilian market.
Ronaldo said he believes in sport’s ability to transform lives and wants to contribute not only to Head’s growth in Brazil but also to the development of sport, including through support for young athletes.
Ronaldo continues to diversify his sports portfolio
The DLD transaction adds another asset to Ronaldo’s increasingly diversified business interests across sport and entertainment.
In football, he is a shareholder in the recently established corporate entity of Brazilian club Inter de Limeira alongside former Brazil international Roberto Carlos and entrepreneur Enrico Ambrogini.
His marketing and communications interests are grouped under Oddz Network, which includes Octagon Latam, operating across 18 countries with 32 offices, as well as production company Beyond Films and travel business Wayz Travel.
Ronaldo also owns Galáticos Capital, focused on wealth management for athletes and artists, and Rede Ronaldo, which operates in the media sector.
The Head investment further underlines Ronaldo’s transition from football superstar to sports investor, with his portfolio increasingly extending beyond football into businesses connected to participation, equipment, media and at