Telefónica is considering selling the Movistar Team or part of it

The future of the Movistar Team could be entering a new phase. Telefónica, the main sponsor of the structure since 2011, is reportedly exploring ways to reduce its investment in the professional cycling team, including the incorporation of a significant co-sponsor or even the search for a buyer for the structure managed by Abarca Sports.

Telefónica seeks a co-sponsor or even the sale of the Movistar Team to reduce its investment in cycling

The information, first reported by Bloomberg and later picked up by various Spanish media, comes at a time of profound changes within Telefónica following the arrival of Marc Murtra as president. The company has initiated a global review of its expenses and sponsorships, a strategy that has already been accompanied by significant corporate decisions, such as the sale of several subsidiaries in Latin America or the reorientation of part of its investments in sports marketing.

A commitment of 75 million until 2029

According to published reports, Telefónica has commissioned the sports marketing firm Your First Gersh to search for alternatives for the team. The goal would be to find a partner to share the sponsorship or even explore a possible sale of the structure.

The financial aspect is particularly relevant. The contract signed during the tenure of José María Álvarez-Pallete guarantees the continuity of the sponsorship until the end of 2029, which represents an estimated commitment of around 75 million euros for the next three seasons, at a rate of approximately 25 million per season.

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Telefónica took over from Caisse d’Epargne as the main sponsor in 2011, and since then the team has competed under the name Movistar Team, becoming one of the longest-lasting associations in modern professional cycling.

The entry of Quantum changed the shareholding structure

The current scenario is also marked by the entry of new investors. In April 2025, the British group Quantum Pacific Group, owned by Israeli businessman Idan Ofer, acquired 43% of Abarca Sports, the company that manages the team.

Although the change had little visual impact on the team's image, it did modify its management structure. Eusebio Unzué ceased to act as sole administrator, and the board was formed by historical representatives of the organization along with members appointed by Quantum.

Within the sector, that operation is interpreted as a strategic move that could facilitate future participation expansions or changes in the ownership of the structure.

A search that is not new

The possibility of incorporating a second sponsor is no surprise within the peloton. Eusebio Unzué has been publicly acknowledging the need to increase the financial backing of the team to compete on equal terms with the major economic powers of current cycling.

In recent years, Movistar Team has explored different options to attract new investors. Among them were discussions with Saudi representatives and collaboration agreements with the country's cycling federation, although none of those negotiations resulted in an effective capital influx.

Meanwhile, the budget growth of structures like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Visma Lease a Bike, or Lidl-Trek has widened the economic gap compared to the Spanish team.

An historic team at a decisive moment

Movistar Team remains one of the most recognized structures in the international peloton and has managed to stay among the reference teams for over a decade. However, professional cycling is experiencing a phase of strong financial concentration around large business groups, investment funds, and state-backed projects.

The search for a new partner could become an opportunity to strengthen the team's sporting competitiveness, although it also raises questions about what the future holds for one of the most emblematic formations in Spanish cycling.

For now, neither Telefónica nor Movistar Team have made official communications regarding a possible sale or the entry of a new main sponsor.