A statement has been issued by the potential new owners of Liverpool FC.
The sale of the club is, according to Reds chairman Martin Broughton, subject to a number of conditions, including the outcome of a legal challenge between the current owners and the remainder of the board.
New England Sports Ventures (“NESV”) can confirm that their bid for Liverpool FC has been
selected by the Club’s Board of Directors and agreement has been reached with the Board to purchase the Club. NESV wishes to extend its appreciation to the Board for their diligence and their efforts on behalf of Liverpool FC and its supporters.NESV wants to create a long-term financially solid foundation for Liverpool FC and is dedicated to ensuring that the Club has the resources to build for the future, including the removal of all acquisition debt. Our objective is to stabilize the Club and ultimately return Liverpool FC to its rightful place in English and European football, successfully competing for and winning trophies.
Since 2001, New England Sports Ventures has made successful investments in sports and entertainment properties. Our portfolio of companies, including the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing are all committed to one common goal: winning. NESV wants to help bring back the culture of winning to Liverpool FC.
We have a proven track record, shown clearly with the Boston Red Sox. The team has won two World Series Championships over the past six years. We will bring the same kind of openness, passion, dedication and professionalism to Liverpool FC.
We are hopeful with regard to the pending legal and English Premier League procedures now underway, however, in light of these issues, we will respectfully refrain from comment or further actions at this time.
The statement also included some official background on the company and people that could soon be taking charge of Liverpool FC.
Background on NESV
Created in 2001, New England Sports Ventures is one of the largest sports, media and entertainment companies in the world with a proven track record of success for each of its subsidiaries. NESV’s portfolio of companies includes: 100 percent of the Boston Red Sox, a Major League Baseball club; 80 percent of New England Sports Network, a regional sports television network; 100 percent of Fenway Sports Group, a sales and marketing company; and 50% of Roush Fenway Racing, a NASCAR racing team.NESV is led by Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner, who collectively have more than 30 years of experience as owners in Major League Baseball. This ownership group has been voted as the best in MLB by the readers of the Sports Business Journal in each of the past two years, and in 2009 Sports Illustrated selected this group as the number one ownership group in MLB.
NESV Achievements
From 2002 through 2009, the Boston Red Sox have had the second highest regular season winning percentage in MLB, have qualified for the postseason in a club record six of the past seven seasons, and have won more postseason games and World Series Championships than any other club. In addition to a commitment to winning, NESV has made a significant investment into extensive improvements to Fenway Park, resulting in additional seating, more concourse space, expanded concessions options, and an overall enhancement to the Fenway Park fan experience. The Red Sox have also been deeply committed to supporting the community. Since 2002, the Red Sox Foundation has donated more than $38 million to worthy charitable programs throughout New England, and the team through its Community Relations efforts has given away more than 27,000 autographed items and Fenway experiences to be used in fundraising efforts, and has helped facilitate more than 4,000 player and alumni appearances in the community.New England Sports Network has had the highest rated MLB games for the past six seasons from 2004 through 2009, and in 2009 delivered the highest television household ratings among all regional sports networks in the United States. NESN has also created a large amount of unique and original television content and is at the forefront of the industry in terms of digital media.
In addition to assisting with sponsorship sales for both the Red Sox and NESN, Fenway Sports Group serves as the exclusive sales agency for other tier one properties and brands such as Major League Baseball Advanced Media, Boston College, and the Deutsche Bank Championship PGA Tour event; helping many of its clients grow sponsorship revenues by more than 20% annually. FSG also manages all non-baseball events hosted at Fenway Park, including the hockey events centered around the 2010 NHL Winter Classic, the Fenway Football Challenge, and major concerts. FSG provides specialized sports business consulting services for other professional sports teams, assisting the Miami Dolphins in selling the naming rights deal for Sun Life Stadium.
Roush Fenway Racing is one of NASCAR’s premier racing teams and has won 32 championships and more than 360 races in drag racing, sports car and stock car racing; as well as five championships across NASCAR’s three premier series.
John Henry, Principal Owner
Henry’s background includes finance and agriculture, and he is a former limited partner of the New York Yankees and sole owner of the Florida Marlins. He is in the Futures Hall of Fame. He sits on the Executive Council of MLB and manages the Roush Fenway Racing relationship. He is an active board member of Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and specializes in digital media issues. Henry is passionate about soccer and lives in Boston, Massachusetts and Boca Raton, Florida.Tom Werner, Chairman
Werner’s background includes Harvard, ABC, and Carsey-Werner, and he is the former owner of the San Diego Padres. He produced some of the biggest hit series in television history such as The Cosby Show, Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun and That 70’s Show. His primary responsibility within NESV is the New England Sports Network (NESN). Werner maintains a residence in Los Angeles and Boston and is passionate about the business of sports.
Source: http://www.nesn.com/2010/10/statement-on-the-purchase-of-liverpool-fc.html
Its all very promising but so was Hicks and Gilletts regime when it started.
I dont know how to think at the moment, I’m actually gutted we havent been bought out by someone with substantial wealth but also just relieved that Hicks and Gillett are being forced out.
Jim did you read Paul Tomkins piece on Roy? I was very surprised by its negativity toward Roy, Tomkins is usually a positive person. I agreed with everything he said though.
Juan,
I think a lot of people have held back from commenting too much about Roy but in the end, for many, something had to be said.
What the club really needs is to lose the need to service a large amount of debt.
It’s okay for it to have a relatively small amount (it was £40m at the announcement of the last takeover and £60m by the time it was done) because most clubs have that and it’s generally something that changes over the course of a year.
And it wasn’t only the ridiculous amounts of interest RBS were taking from LFC. It was the uncertainty their short-term loans brought with them. In many ways they should have got tough a long time ago.
Perhaps they only did it now because they knew it was getting close to the point where they’d not get their money back.
I’ve a list of worries about NESV, but most of them are questions to ask rather than facts to state.
One thing we must find out is how much they use debt in their other ventures. H&G bought the club without using any debt secured on it. 12 months later they tried to move it onto the club and that was the end of their popularity with fans and the start of the turmoil we’ve had.
We obviously don’t want to find NESV doing the same just as soon as the existing board have been moved on or de-powered.
And if they keep Purslow on in any capacity they’ll lose the support of a lot of of fans before they’ve even started.
BROUGHTON PURSLOW and AYRES STAND UP TO TOM HICKS – shame on all those who doubted that they had the best interests of the club at heart.
I caught Broughton on the Sky Sports News at lunchtime and I thought he was quite superb. I am confident that all 3 are doing their best for the club and its fans in very difficult circumstances. Don’t forget that they are professionals and their reputations are on the line as well. I am also pleased that this proposed deal has been set up away from the glare of the media and if H & G lose as much money as has been mooted then that is an added bonus as far as I’m concerned.
Someone on sky sports who claims to know a little about these people were talking about a shared stadium straight away history and tradition down the plug hole. if thats the future send them packing and let the bank find a proper invester.
Share stadium is one of my major worries, reading between the lines of what Broughton said.
Anyone that even suggests “ground share” should just FO now. If they don’t understand the need for your own house then they don’t understand anything about sport or why people follow it. Let the toffee’s FO and groundshare with the scum from manchester where they belong.
Going back, If the idiot Tom Hicks Jnr did not have that rant with that fan, Ian Ayre would not have been appointed to board level and this sale will have never got to were it is now. lets hope that in the future we can thank Tom for being such an idiot.
Tom Hicks Jnr resigns from the board after a foul-mouthed email rant at a fan. As a result commercial director Ian Ayre is added to the board.
You know what I think ? (who cares came the tumultuous reply)
Well I think if this deal goes through Mr Henry will TRY and redevelop Anfield which will be icing on the cake for me.
Ian Ayre and Philip Nash were appointed to the LFC board about a month before the Hick Jnr outburst.
Hicks Jnr was replaced on the board by Casey Coffman (who left the Hicks camp earlier this year in allegedly controversial circumstances).
In April Coffman and Foster Gillett left the board, Hicks Snr and Gillett dropped down to “director” and Broughton was added.
Philip Nash is only on the LFC board, the others are also on the two Kop boards.
Jim you are a wealth of information, Thanks.
o you all guys thinks about redeveloping anfield to a 65000 seater as opposed to a new stadium?? i will go with the first one.
Lets not be too quick to welcome NESV as the all saving financial group. I am very sceptical until questions have been answered. Hicks and Gillett should have thought us all this lesson!
Broughton needs to uphold his reutation… I think he did ok in that interview. Its questionable if these are the right investors, this is a forced sale…. but they cannot be any worse. Surely if H&G somehow stay on fwe will desert the stands completely, therefore this ownership seems the most probable. They can only be judged on the development of the club as a whole.
I for one am happy that H&G are going… have faith.
Great news for LFC supporters, change of ownership will let LFC rebuild for the champion route. New investment will stimulate the club, stabalise the warrioe spirit. full support
I think the consortium from Far East is the one led by Kenny Huang. I actually prefer their bid. For one thing, they have more financial muscle and offer a potentially lucrative market for the club to tap on – China. Chelsea and Man U are gaining popularity in the football-mad country, at the expense of Liverpool. It is time for the club to work on that.
Red Sox might be successful in America but I think they will find it hard to replicate their success here coz the standard of living is lower and much higher ticket fees are not only impossible but undesirable (it will result in more subdued atmosphere on match days).
I think the Far East bid was not chosen coz of his earlier withdrawal. Perhaps the board took offence to that or they were swayed by the Red Sox’s apparently better track record in sports. It is a pity.
a relief, though i don’t have much insight into whats going on, i’m just having a good feeling on thing’s. well at least the debt will be gone with H&G. will it be worse than what the club have been thru? no, i don’t think so
Jim.
I was reading the article in the Mail about this saga and Broughton completly and utterly KO’d Hicks. Hicks was out manouverd and out punched by Broughton, I think we now know why Broughton was brought in. This Broughton would make the like of Purslow and Parry look like pussy cats while he is a pit bull.
He was absolute class in the way he played this out, he outclassed Hicks, and you do have to give him some credit for that Jim.
You’d think at that kind of money they’d be queing up to buy the club, but they’re obviously not – just goes to show you there are very few sugar daddy’s left. I’d be very cautious about NESV or any other Americans for that matter owning the club. This has the potential to be even worse than H&G as I’m sure they won’t be foolish enough to let someone like Purslow on the board. I still can’t believe the abuse that man got from some shameful corners of so called supporters who themselves have lied about situations and never explained their personal grudges against him. NESV will ensure that they will always have the power to do with the club as they wish – the day will come when we would give our right arm to have Purslow on the Board.
This has Leverage written all over it – just watch this space.
I hope the truth does come out one day about Purslow.
It certainly hasn’t all come out so far.
yeah but Jim what do you think of Broughton trying to shaft Hicks, love him or hate him you have to give him some credit?
Roy Houghton today telling LFC to groundshare with Everton! Has he lost his mind??!!!
Sorry……Ray
Mr F,
Believe it or not, there are probably people out there who are worse than Hicks, and then going the other way there are a lot of people out there who are better than Hicks but still not good enough for this club.
Credit goes to Broughton if he’s found someone good enough for this club. If he hasn’t, if he’s found someone who’s going to break a different set of promises or just sell us short in some other way then any joy at shafting Hicks will wear off in not time.
Either way, no credit yet.
Jonner6
Good of Houghton to tell us all how much we should be willing to share a ground with Everton, so glad he took the time out to do that instead of getting his backside down to Hope Street at the weekend to tell Tom Hicks enough was enough.
Jim fair play and fully understood,but I have a feeling that this guy will be a lot better than Hicks. He is not borrowing money to buy the club, and although he isn’t the richest of people, the NESV is actually owned by 17 people he just heads it.
Also Jim if you scratched below the surface with Hicks and Gillete then you would see that they weren’t ever going to be any good as owners. This fella seems to be a decent person and he looks like he may be a good thing for the club.
Also if I am honest I quite like the possibility of redevolping Anfield. It may be a coup if we can do that and it may even save us money if possible. I remember Old Trafford before they started work developing it, and it was a right sh*t hole, still is now but it does look good. I understand that it may work out cheaper to just build a new stadium than to do something on that scale, but it could even stop us having to share with the blue sh*te, which would be embarrasing for us a city.
PS I liked your cameo in the Dear Mr Hicks video! It seems to have worked as well cause no sooner had the video been released he was on his way out.
Jim fair play and fully understood,but I have a feeling that this guy will be a lot better than Hicks. He is not borrowing money to buy the club, and although he isn’t the richest of people, the NESV is actually owned by 17 people he just heads it.
Also Jim if you scratched below the surface with Hicks and Gillete then you would see that they weren’t ever going to be any good as owners. This fella seems to be a decent person and he looks like he may be a good thing for the club.
Also if I am honest I quite like the possibility of redevolping Anfield. It may be a coup if we can do that and it may even save us money if possible. I remember Old Trafford before they started work developing it, and it was a right poo hole, still is now but it does look good. I understand that it may work out cheaper to just build a new stadium than to do something on that scale, but it could even stop us having to share with the blue poo, which would be embarrasing for us a city.
PS I liked your cameo in the Dear Mr Hicks video! It seems to have worked as well cause no sooner had the video been released he was on his way out
Ray was speaking on Irish “we all hate Liverpool” media at the time. There are 2 Houghton, the one that appears on rhe British media and the one that appears on RTE. It would’nt suprise me the second Ray would hold such views, infact mabe we should amalgamate with them and wear blue, that would suit him just fine.