Liverpool’s ownership has proven to be a divisive topic among the Anfield faithful over the past few years. Fenway Sports Group, who took over the Merseyside team in 2010, have undoubtedly delivere...
Liverpool’s ownership has proven to be a divisive topic among the Anfield faithful over the past few years.
Fenway Sports Group, who took over the Merseyside team in 2010, have undoubtedly delivered the club’s most successful period over the last 30 years but supporters’ opinions are still divided.
The decision to attempt to join the breakaway European Super League is among several actions FSG have taken that have besmirched their reputation in Liverpool.
Despite some wrong turns, the direction of the club has been an upward one since FSG arrived, and the ownership showed their renewed commitment to the Liverpool project this summer when they sanctioned over £400 million in transfer fees to strengthen the Premier League champions.
Now, the American ownership group have completed a massive deal that will see them take a step back from one of their biggest sporting ventures.
FSG agree $1.7 billion deal for sale of team
Liverpool are not the only sports team owned by FSG, who also have controlling interests in Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, NASCAR’s RFK Racing and until this week National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
News broke earlier in the week that FSG were close to a deal that would see the Hoffmann family acquire the controlling stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise, and that deal has now been ratified by the NHL.
The deal is reportedly worth an astonishing $1.7 billion according to Sportico, making it the biggest deal in the sport’s history, and sees FSG make a considerable profit on the $900 million they paid to acquire the team in 2021.
FSG will reportedly retain a minority stake in the team whilst a transition period takes place.
The deal also marks the first time FSG have sold a controlling stake in one of their sports teams, potentially opening the door for future sales.
What does the sale mean for Liverpool?
In the most immediate terms, the sale over the pond will have little impact on the day to day lives of most Reds, it could however have huge long-term consequences.
FSG have flirted with the idea of selling Liverpool previously, although they settled for only selling a minority stake in the team.
The sale of one of their major American franchises could be an indicator that the group are now more open to selling assets and could pave the way for Liverpool to come under new ownership.
There is no sign that FSG are close to selling Liverpool, and the process of a sale would no doubt take time, but the door has opened a little more for those interested in the purchase of Liverpool FC.
Category: General Sports
