Published on 7 Nov 2022 8:32 pm (UK Time)
Fenway Sports Group, the organisation which owns Liverpool Football Club, have put Liverpool up for sale.
Rumours about a potential sale have occurred since the proposed European Super League collapsed.
Offers and deals have arrived for Liverpool in the past, but FSG has rejected every advance so far.
In 2021, FSG sold an 11 per cent share in Liverpool to RedBird Capital Partners for £665 million.
The Athletic has reported that the American owners have produced a sales deck which is something used as a part of sales presentation.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley will assist the Liverpool owners with the process.
FSG released a statement in response to the news and it reads: “There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumours of changes in ownership at EPL clubs and inevitably we are asked regularly about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool.
“FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club.
“FSG remains fully committed to the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.”
FSG purchased Liverpool for just £300 million in 2010 after Tom Hicks and George Gillet risked the bankruptcy of the club.
Since then, Liverpool has gone from strength to strength under the ownership of FSG. Forbes values the club at £3.5 billion.
The appointment of Jurgen Klopp, the expansion of Anfield to 61,000 seats, a new training ground, a renowned academy, scouting and transfer departments, and winning every major trophy.
FSG have had their controversies, nonetheless.
In 2016 the club had to scrap plans for a £77 ticket and apologise for the distress caused. Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon said: “The three of us have been particularly troubled by the perception that we don’t care about our supporters, that we are greedy, and that we are attempting to extract personal profits at the club’s expense,” it said.
“Quite the opposite is true.”
In 2021, John W Henry had to apologise again after the club were involved in the now-disgraced European Super League. At the time the American said: “I want to apologise to all the fans and supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the past 48 hours,” said Henry.
“It goes without saying, but should be said; the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England.
“Over these 48 hours, you were very clear that it would not stand; we heard you, I heard you. I want to apologise to Jurgen, Billy, the players, and to everyone who has worked so hard at LFC to make our fans proud. They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption; they were the most disrupted, and unfairly so, and this is what hurts most. They love your club and work to make you proud every single day.
“I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward. More than a decade ago, when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of, and we’ve worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn’t done, and I hope that you’ll understand that even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interests.
“In this endeavour, I’ve let you down. Again, I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It’s something I won’t forget and shows the power that fans have today and will rightly continue to have.
“If there is one thing that this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it’s how crucial fans are to our sport and to every sport. It’s shown in every empty stadium. It’s been an incredibly tough year for all of us, with virtually no one unaffected. It’s important that the Liverpool football family remain intact, vital and committed to what we have seen from you globally with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that. Thanks for listening.”
A deal is not guaranteed and in May 2022 Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner said: FSG wasn’t going “nowhere” and that FSG “still see it as a long-term project. We are hungry to win more trophies for the club.”
