FSG puts Liverpool up for sale

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has put Liverpool up for sale.

A full sales presentation has been produced for interested parties.

FSG has looked at opportunities in the past but decided against moving forward with them. It is unclear whether or not a deal will eventually be done, but FSG is inviting offers.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been retained to assist with the process.

A statement from FSG, who also own the Boston Red Sox, to The Athletic read: “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.”

The group has owned Liverpool since October 2010, when it bought the club from George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks.

During that time, Liverpool appointed Jurgen Klopp as manager. They won their first Premier League title in 2019-20, which was also their first championship for 30 years. They also captured the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Champions League.

During FSG’s ownership Anfield has been transformed, with a new £110million Main Stand, while the Anfield Road Stand is being redeveloped. That £80m project will be completed next summer and boost 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 principally owned by John W. Henry, who was one of two founders alongside chairman Tom Werner. FSG also own the Red Sox, television network NESN, 50 per cent of Roush Fenway Racing and Fenway Sports Management.

FSG sold an 11 per cent stake in the company for $750m (£655m) to RedBird Capital Partners last year and subsequently bought a controlling stake in top-flight NHL ice hockey team the Pittsburgh Penguins.

There have been controversial elements to FSG’s ownership of the club. In 2019, they were criticised after the club tried to trademark the name Liverpool, 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 apologised publicly to the fans.

When Werner spoke to The Athletic in May, he insisted FSG wasn’t going anywhere. 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 side was the Todd Boehly-led purchase of Chelsea, which cost £2.5billion.