By Kurtis Ottey

What if I told you a beverage company is well on its way to becoming a soccer monopoly? Four teams in four countries with plans of further expansion.

Red Bull best known for its energy drinks, has made a significant impact on the world of soccer through its ownership of several clubs across the globe. The company's involvement in soccer has been a controversial topic, with some praising Red Bull's commitment to investing in and supporting soccer clubs, while others have criticized the company's approach and questioned its motives.

Red Bull first entered the soccer world in 2005 when it purchased SV Austria Salzburg, a small Austrian club that was struggling financially. The company rebranded the club as Red Bull Salzburg and invested heavily in its infrastructure and youth academy. Under Red Bull's ownership, Red Bull Salzburg experienced a resurgence, winning multiple domestic titles and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

In 2006, Red Bull expanded its soccer portfolio by purchasing New York MetroStars, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team based in New York City. The company rebranded the team as New York Red Bulls and invested in the club's facilities and youth academy. The team has since enjoyed success in MLS, winning the Supporters' Shield (awarded to the team with the best regular season record) in 2013 and 2015.

In 2009, Red Bull purchased a controlling stake in SC Red Bull Leipzig, a German soccer club that was playing in the lower divisions of the German league system. The company invested heavily in the club and helped to build a strong academy system, which has produced several talented young players. Under Red Bull's ownership, SC Red Bull Leipzig has achieved significant success, winning promotions to the Bundesliga (the top division of German soccer) and establishing itself as a competitive team in the top flight.

In 2020 Red Bull purchased Clube Atlético Bragantino which they later changed the name of to Red Bull Bragantino. Located in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, the takeover of Bragantino has been widely accepted by die hard supporters as they’ve built a winning culture earning promotion to the Brazilian Serie A.

Red Bull's ownership of soccer clubs has been met with both praise and criticism. Some have praised the company for its commitment to investing in and supporting soccer clubs, arguing that it has helped to bring stability and success to clubs that were struggling financially. Others, however, have criticized Red Bull's approach, arguing that the company is more interested in promoting its brand than supporting the long-term development of soccer clubs.

One of the main criticisms of Red Bull's ownership of soccer clubs is that the company has a reputation for being hands-on in the management of its clubs, which has led to concerns about a lack of autonomy and independence. There have also been concerns about the impact of Red Bull's corporate branding on soccer clubs, with some arguing that the company's logo and branding have been imposed on clubs in a way that has eroded their identity and history. While Red Bull's ownership has brought stability and success to some clubs, there have also been concerns about the company's hands-on management style and the impact of its branding on soccer clubs. What do you think?

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