Kretinsky Loves Deals, But He Loves His Football Club Even More

Daniel Kretinsky is one of Europe’s most prominent dealmakers. He built his energy business into a conglomerate that’s generating record profit. He’s invested in mining and power plants in Germany, IT and retail in France and is in the process of buying the Royal Mail in the UK.

At home in the Czech Republic, though, the 48-year-old billionaire is known for a longtime investment that’s made him no money at all.

Kretinsky is the majority owner and chairman of the board of AC Sparta Prague, the Czech football club with the biggest trophy cabinet, the most fans and the team that was ...