Western United has officially changed hands in a transaction regarded as potentially the most lucrative in the annals of Australian sport. Here’s everything you need to know about KAM Melbourne, their aspirations for the club, and their vision for the future.
On Friday, Western United embarked on an exhilarating new journey with the announcement of its sale to KAM Melbourne, a branch of KAM Sports, led by the billionaire American property magnates, Maciek and Mikhail Kaminski.
As reported by Code Sports, the investment totals $100 million and is considered ‘the richest deal in Australian sporting history’, with ambitious plans set in motion for the club’s future.
The club’s inaugural owners, the Western Melbourne Group, set out in 2019 with an ambitious plan to create a vibrant sport-centric retail and residential area, featuring a 15,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of the project in collaboration with Wyndham City Council.
The new ownership aims to realise that vision and has also indicated a desire to establish a ‘broad football-focused multi-club international strategy’ that will enhance elite pathways for Australian footballers in the years to come.
So, who are the investors stepping into the A-Leagues?
Introducing Western United’s new owners: Maciek and Mikhail Kaminski
KAM Sports is spearheaded by the father-son team of Maciek and Mikhail Kaminski.
Maciek, born in Poland in 1958, boasts a net worth estimated to exceed $1 billion, primarily generated through real estate ventures.
They were previously in negotiations to acquire Premier League club Everton in 2021 and Belgian club KV Kortrijk in 2023, but those deals did not progress, leading to their investment in Western United, which marks what may be the beginning of something substantial.
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Maciek’s son, Mikhail, serves as the CEO of KAM Sports. While he has no immediate plans to relocate to Melbourne, he has assured Code Sports of his active involvement in the club.
“[WMG] has something we believe we can significantly enhance — optimising the real estate, development, and all associated elements,” Mikhail Kaminski shared with ESPN.
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“Fans are undoubtedly eager to know what’s happening with the club, which is very important. However, for us, it’s about leveraging our historical expertise in infrastructure development, where our family wealth originated, to kick-start this project and get the stadium built — that is what has driven our commitment to this initiative.”
“Getting the stadium built is our top priority — number one, two, and three. Our immediate aim is to commence construction and deliver what WMG pledged to the community.”
What draws them to the A-Leagues?
“Our expertise lies within real estate and development, so effectively, this is a real estate venture for us,” Mikhail explained to Code Sports.
This acquisition not only involves the Kaminskis purchasing Western United but also includes an 800-home property project and the commitment to a 15,000-seat stadium.
Upon completion, Western United will become the first team in the A-Leagues history to own its stadium.
“Our foremost focus is to ensure the stadium is completed while collaborating closely with Wyndham City Council,” Mikhail reiterated.
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“We’ve explored several football clubs but none have materialised as of yet.
“This opportunity excites us, and we are eager to discover how else we can invest in the A-Leagues.”
For A-League fans, the new owners have outlined their commitment to nurturing Australian talent, establishing pathways worldwide through a multi-club model.
“There’s a wealth of promising young talent in the A-Leagues, offering us considerable geographical diversity. We’re confident that numerous exceptional players will emerge, deserving a chance to showcase their skills in Europe and beyond,” Mikhail conveyed to Code Sports.
“Fostering the development of local talent, both male and female, and creating a pathway from grassroots to elite under the Western United banner is paramount for my family.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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