Fenway Sports Group issues statement in response to reports it is seeking a buyer for Liverpool FC. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has responded to media reports that it has put the club up for sale.
David Ornstein, football correspondent for The Athletic, reported on Monday lunchtime that US-based FSG had produced what is called a ‘sale deck’ for potential buyers. This is presentation made available to interested parties.
On his Twitter feed Ornstein added: “Goldman Sachs + Morgan Stanley assisting evaluation process. Unclear if deal gets done but FSG inviting offers.”
In response FSG issued a statement. This did not deny the sale claim but did not confirm it either..
It said: “There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumours of changes of 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.”
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Owned by US billionaire John W Henry, FSG acquired Liverpool FC in 2010 for £300m, rescuing it from the disastrous ownership of two other US businessmen, Tom.Hicks and George Gillett. It is now believed to be worth around £3.5bn.
It has invested heavily in the club’s infrastructure. A new main stand at Anfield cost more than £100m and work is well advanced on a £60m extension of the Anfield Road stand. FSG has also spent £50m on a new first team training complex at Kirkby.
However, despite spending big on players such as defender Virgil Van Dijk and goalkeeper Allison Becker, some fans have criticised FSG for not matching the spending power of rivals such as Manchester City and Chelsea.
With Jurgen Klopp’s team having a disappointing start to the season that criticism has intensified. FSG was also forced to apologise in 2021 for its role in the failed attempt to launch a European Super League.
In March 2021 FSG sold a 10% stake in its business to a private investment firm part-owned by the former NBA star LeBron James in a £533m deal.
The investment by RedBird Capital Partners valued FSG, also the owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, at around £5.33bn. The cash injection allowed FSG to press ahead with the £60m redevelopment of the Anfield Road stand.
Speaking at the time of the club’s annual financial results earlier this year, LFC managing director Andy Hughes said: “It is imperative that we continue to live within our means and operate within football’s regulations and financial fair play.
“But we’ll continue to reinvest on and off the pitch to further strengthen our position and compete at the highest levels right across the club.”