You’ve probably seen him sitting stoically in the VIP box at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. He doesn't have the boisterous, headline-grabbing energy of his late father, Jesús Gil. Honestly, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín is the quietest billionaire in Spanish football. But don't let the low profile fool you. He's the guy who turned a club drowning in debt into a global powerhouse worth billions.
And now, as we move through 2026, he’s just pulled off his biggest move yet.
The Massive Apollo Deal: A New Era
If you haven't heard, the landscape of Atlético de Madrid changed forever in late 2025. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín finalized a deal to sell a majority stake in the club to the American investment firm Apollo Global Management. We're talking about a valuation of roughly €2.2 billion.
It’s kind of a big deal. For decades, the Gil family was the undisputed face of the Rojiblancos. Now, Apollo owns about 55% of the club. But here’s the kicker: Gil Marín isn't going anywhere. Even though he cashed out a huge chunk of his shares—earning a reported payday alongside Enrique Cerezo of over €300 million—he’s staying on as CEO for at least three to four more seasons.
Basically, he has the money, but he also kept the keys to the office.
💡 You might also like: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
Why Most People Get the "Gil Legacy" Wrong
Most fans outside of Spain only remember his father, Jesús Gil, for being a chaotic mayor of Marbella who once rode an elephant through the streets. People think Miguel Ángel just inherited a toy. That’s not really the case.
When he took the reins as CEO in 1993, the club was a mess.
By 2010, they had liabilities over €500 million.
The tax authorities were knocking on the door constantly.
Gil Marín, who is actually a trained veterinarian by trade, had to learn the business of "financial survival" fast. He moved the club from the iconic but aging Vicente Calderón to the state-of-the-art Metropolitano. He backed Diego Simeone when everyone else would have fired him. That stability is why Atleti is now a regular in the Champions League, which honestly, felt like a pipe dream in the early 2000s.
The Controversy He Can't Shake
You can’t talk about Miguel Ángel Gil Marín without mentioning the "S.A.D." conversion scandal. Back in the 90s, when Spanish clubs were forced to become "Public Limited Sports Companies," the Gil family and Enrique Cerezo acquired their shares in a way that the courts later ruled was fraudulent.
📖 Related: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
The Supreme Court basically said they took control without actually paying for the shares. However, because the statute of limitations had passed, they got to keep the club.
Hardcore supporters, especially groups like Señales de Humo, have never forgotten this. To them, the Gil family’s ownership is built on a "stolen" foundation. It’s a shadow that follows him, even as he wins La Liga titles and builds one of the best stadiums in Europe.
His Stance on the Super League
Unlike Florentino Pérez at Real Madrid, Gil Marín has become one of the loudest critics of the European Super League. He’s currently on the UEFA Executive Committee, and he’s made it clear that he thinks the ESL is a "club-killer."
He’s said it creates "uncertainty" for sponsors and TV channels. To him, the current system—where Atleti can grow within the UEFA framework—is much safer. It’s a pragmatic approach. He knows where the money comes from, and he isn’t interested in burning bridges with the governing bodies.
👉 See also: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
What’s Next for Gil Marín?
With the Apollo investment, the focus is shifting toward the "Ciudad del Deporte" (City of Sport). This is his legacy project: a massive sports and entertainment complex surrounding the stadium.
He’s also betting big on the club’s new sporting director, Mateu Alemany. With a fresh capital injection of around €70 million for transfers, Atleti is finally looking to break the "third wheel" ceiling and consistently outspend the giants.
Practical takeaways for the Atleti fan or investor:
- Stability is the priority: Don’t expect a total overhaul. The Apollo deal was designed for "continuity."
- The Simeone Factor: As long as Gil Marín is CEO, Cholo’s job is likely safe. They have a bond that transcends typical board-manager relationships.
- Diversification: Gil Marín still runs a massive business empire outside of football, specifically in horse and bull breeding (Valdeolivas) and real estate. His net worth is firmly in the billionaire territory now.
If you’re watching the 2026 season unfold, keep an eye on how much control Apollo actually exerts. Gil Marín is used to being the boss. Watching how he shares power with American private equity will be the most interesting game of the year.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to track the financial evolution of the club under this new ownership, keep an eye on the quarterly filings from Apollo Global Management and the official La Liga salary cap announcements in August. These will reveal exactly how much of that "new money" is going into the squad versus paying down remaining debts. Additionally, following the progress of the Ciudad del Deporte construction will show if Gil Marín is meeting his development milestones before his expected departure in a few years.