Southampton owner Dragan Solak is one of the wealthiest people in Serbia. His popularity grew following the acquisition of English football club Southampton FC.
He is one of the biggest business owners in Southeast Europe. So how much is he worth?
Dragan Solak net worth
According to figures from Wikipedia, Dragan Solak's net worth is €1.22 billion. He earns through the ownership of many businesses across Europe.
Who is Dragan Solak?
Dragan Solak, born in 1964, is a Serbian businessman who founded one of the biggest telecommunications outlets in Southeast Europe.
He is also in the cable television industry, where he controls numerous channels across different countries.
Read: Southampton Ownership: List of owners and their net worth
Dragan Solak investment, source of wealth, and how he became rich
The Serbian businessman tycoon became rich through the ownership of multiple businesses, including his involvement in the sports industry. Here is a list of his business and how he makes his money.
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United Group
Dragan Solak is the founder and majority shareholder of the United Group, a company that operates in the telecommunications, advertising, mass media, and cable television industries.
The company provides broadband, mobile, and television service in the region.
United Group started as a small company, just as many globally, but gradually grew to become one of the largest in Eastern Europe, with coverage in more than five countries in the region.
His company serves over nine regions in Europe, including Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc. Dragan Solak's total stake in United Group is around 33 percent.
SBB (Serbia Broadband)
Serbia Broadband is a broadband, cable television, and internet service provider that is part of the United Group.
SBB is the leading telecommunications operator in Southeast Europe, covering several countries in the region.
Serbia Broadband generates a staggering annual revenue from its operations across the region. In 2022, it generated over €252.2 million through its market share of 43% in South Eastern Europe.
Telemach
It is a broadband and cable television provider. It is the leading cable and broadband service provider in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Telemach was founded in 2005 and was one of the three companies that was merged into one.
Its product catalogue includes cable television, broadband Internet, fixed telephony, and Pay television.
Total TV
It is a satellite television provider. It offers a variety of TV channels across the regions it covers.
Total TV is available internationally. But its core market includes Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, etc.
It covers lifestyle content and sports, including some of the biggest events internationally.
Total TV offers its packages through an outdoor dish and online via its official website and app.
NetTV Plus
NetTV Plus is a platform that lets people watch TV channels online. It is an internet-based platform that offers a variety of programming, which includes lifestyle, news, entertainment, and sports.
NetTV Plus coverage is centred around Southeast Europe, which includes countries like Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, etc.
CAS Media
The company sells cable channels to users across its operating countries.
The platform has a variety of channels, especially sports, and has been known for covering some of the biggest sporting activities across the globe.
Vivacom
It is a telecommunications company and one of the largest in Bulgaria that is part of the United Group.
Vivacom product catalogue includes satellite television, IPTV, fixed line, mobile telephony, and Internet service.
The company offers these services to residents across Bulgaria and is one of the largest in the country.
Nova Telecommunications & Media
Nova is a telecommunications provider that offers television, broadband, fixed services, etc. The company's coverage is exclusive to the local market in Greece.
Nova Telecommunication product catalogue includes mobile, fixed line telephony,
IPTV, broadband, satellite television, television shows, pay television, and IT services. In 2022, the company had a staggering revenue report, which is in the region of €579 million.
Aeon TV
Aeon TV is an end-to-end pay-TV service available to TV viewers worldwide and is supported by the AEON TV set-top box.
Sport Republic
Sport Republic is a sports investment firm founded. It is one of the companies heavily financed by Dragan Solak.
The company is based in London and was founded by Rasmus Ankersen and Henrik Kraft.
Dragan Solak was informed about the plans by the two investors to secure ownership of football clubs, which he agreed to be the lead investor. The company went on to buy two well-known European football clubs, which are:
1. Southampton Football Club
Dragan Solak was the lead investor in Sport Republic as they completed the acquisition of the English football club Southampton in 2022.
The company bought over 80 percent stake in the club from Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng.
Sport Republic have since made significant investment in the club, which includes the signing of young players across England.
The firm's most notable single investment was the payment of €25 million to Kamaldeen Sulemana in 2023.
2. Göztepe S.K.
Göztepe Spor Kulübü is a Turkish professional multiclub with several departments including football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, handball, etc.
Sport Republic purchased a 70 percent stake in the club in 2022 as part of efforts to establish a multi-club model.
3. Valenciennes F.C.
Valenciennes Football Club is a French professional football club. Sport Republic became the majority shareholder of the club in 2023.
Other investments
Tonsser
Tonsser is a youth sports and football development app that is owned by Sport Republic.
The app has reportedly helped young players build up their career by connecting with opportunities, which includes getting the chance to secure a pro contract.
The app helps players showcase their potential, which is available to some of the biggest teams globally.
Sport Buff
The next on the list of companies owned by the Serbian is Sport Buff. It is a streaming platform providing real-time engagement over the top.
Sport Buff has a partnership with some of the biggest sports brands and broadcast partners globally.