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- FSG confirms it ‘would consider new shareholders’ if it was in ‘best interests’ of Premier League club
- Sales deck drawn up, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley retained to facilitate any deal
Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has confirmed that it is willing to listen to offers for English soccer giants Liverpool.
According to The Athletic, the sports investment firm has put together a full sales presentation for interested suitors, while retaining US banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to help facilitate any transaction.
In a statement issued to The Athletic, FSG revealed it has received several offers in the past for the Premier League club, but chose not to proceed with them.
A statement from FSG to The Athletic 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.’
It is uncertain if a buyer will immediately come forward, but it seems FSG is now listening to offers.
The most recent takeover of a Premier League club saw Chelsea bought for UK£4.25 billion (US$5.35 billion) by a consortium led by US billionaire Todd Boehly.
FSG’s principal owner John Henry (pictured above left) has been reportedly open to a sale for a while, with a 2018 report detailing that a ‘passive sales process’ was underway for the club.
The Boston-based firm acquired Liverpool in October 2010, agreeing to buy the club from US businessmen George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks. FSG also owns Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Boston Red Sox and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Pittsburgh Penguins.
The sports ownership group recently sold an 11 per cent stake in the business for US$750 million to RedBird Capital Partners, the investment firm which acquired Italian soccer giants AC Milan earlier this year. NBA icon LeBron James also has a stake in Liverpool.
Under FSG’s ownership, Liverpool have achieved major success on the pitch, winning their first Premier League title in 2019/20. They have also won the Uefa Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, under the guidance of head coach Jürgen Klopp, who was appointed by FSG in 2015.
FSG has also invested heavily in transforming the club’s infrastructure. The new main stand at Anfield was opened in 2016 at a cost of UK£110 million (US$126.1 million), while there are also plans in place to redevelop the Anfield Road Stand, which will take the venue’s capacity above 61,000.
The group also spent UK£50 million (US$57.3 million) on a new training facility in Kirkby, which Liverpool’s first team moved into in November 2020.
FSG’s tenure has not been without controversy. The failed attempt to trademark the name ‘Liverpool’ in 2019 was highly unpopular with fans and they were also one of the six Premier League teams to commit to the failed European Super League last year, with Henry forced to apologise to supporters afterwards.
