A complete sales presentation has been created for interested parties. FSG considered opportunities in the past but decided not to proceed with them. It’s unclear whether a deal will ultimately be done or not, but FSG is inviting bids. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were retained to assist in the process. A statement from FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, to The Athletic read: “There have been a number of recent ownership changes and rumors of ownership changes at EPL clubs and inevitably we are regularly asked about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership of Liverpool. “FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG have said in the past 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 Liverpool’s success, both on and off the pitch. The group has owned Liverpool since October 2010, when it bought the club from George Gillett Jnr and Tom Hicks. During this period, Liverpool appointed Jurgen Klopp as manager. They won their first Premier League title in 2019-20, which was also their first league title in 30 years. They also won the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the Champions League. GO DEEPER FSG and the culture wars in Liverpool During FSG’s ownership, Anfield has been transformed, with a new £110 million Main Stand, while the Anfield Road Stand is being refurbished. This £80m project will be completed next summer and will increase capacity to around 61,000. FSG has also overseen the club’s move from Melwood to a new £50m training facility in Kirkby. It is primarily owned by John W. Henry, who was one of the two founders along with president Tom Werner. FSG also owns the Red Sox, the NESN television network, 50 percent of Roush Fenway Racing and Fenway Sports Management. GO DEEPER Fenway Sports Group: what’s next? FSG sold an 11 per cent stake in the company for $750m (£655m) to RedBird Capital Partners last year and then bought a controlling stake in top-flight NHL ice hockey team the Pittsburgh Penguins. There has been controversy over FSG’s ownership of the club. In 2019, they were criticized when the club tried to trademark the Liverpool name, with supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly campaigning against the move. Liverpool were also one of six Premier League sides to commit to the failed European Super League last year. After protests they withdrew from the project. Henry publicly apologized to fans. When Werner spoke to The Athletic in May, he insisted FSG were going nowhere. He said: “Yes, we still see it as a long-term project. We are hungry to win more trophies for the club.” The most recent takeover of a major Premier League club was Todd Boehly’s £2.5bn purchase of Chelsea. GO DEEPER The inside story of FSG’s love affair with Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox
Required reading
(Photo: Getty Images)
