Gerard Pique has added a Global Chess League franchise to his growing business portfolio by investing in Fyers American Gambits, the team preparing to compete in the competition for a third successive season.
The former Barcelona defender, who announced his retirement from professional football in 2022, has continued to build his commercial interests since ending his playing career. Pique had already begun planning that transition before retiring and has since expanded his activities across sport, media and entertainment.
He is the owner of FC Andorra and also runs Kosmos, the company he founded almost a decade ago with the stated aim of promoting innovation through the restructuring and operation of businesses. Kosmos has been involved in a number of sporting and entertainment projects, including the creation of the Kings League.
His latest move takes him into the world of chess, with Pique becoming an investor in Fyers American Gambits. The franchise will take part in the Global Chess League for the third consecutive season.
The size of Pique’s stake has not been disclosed. Nevertheless, the investment represents another significant development in his post-football career as he continues to broaden his involvement in different sports.
Pique’s business ventures have not all produced the same results. His involvement with the Davis Cup tennis tournament was less successful, meaning his latest investment will be watched closely as he seeks to establish another presence in the international sports market.
Explaining his decision to invest in Fyers American Gambits, Pique said: “Throughout my career, I have always been interested in projects that rethink the connection between sports and fans. Chess has long fascinated me because of its profound depth, global reach, and the extremely high demands it places on mental fortitude. What attracted me to Fyers American Gambits was their ambition to take chess to new heights and their long-term plans for the sport,”
He also said the investment came as interest in chess continued to grow around the world.
“This announcement comes at a time of unprecedented global enthusiasm for chess. The rise of a new generation of players, the development of digital platforms, and the emergence of innovative competition formats are bringing the sport to a wider global audience,” he said.
Pique’s involvement gives Fyers American Gambits an investor with extensive experience in football and sports media, while the team prepares for its third appearance in the Global Chess League.
The move is the latest example of the former Spain international’s effort to remain active in sport away from the pitch. Alongside his ownership of FC Andorra and his work through Kosmos, his investment in chess adds another discipline to an expanding business empire that began to take shape during the latter stages of his football career.