Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group remain a company that is in ‘growth mode’.
While FSG opened themselves up to a potential sale of the Reds back in November, a move that quickly pivoted to an investment search, the firm’s principal, John Henry, clarified the position of the ownership group when it came to Liverpool in February.
In an interview with the Boston Sports Journal, Henry said: “I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about LFC, but I keep to the facts: we merely formalised an ongoing process.
"Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? No. Are we talking with investors about LFC? Yes. Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won't be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20+ years?"
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In March, Henry, in an exclusive interview with the ECHO, reaffirmed that position, stating that FSG’s commitment to Liverpool was “stronger than ever.”
The focus for FSG, who continue to have dialogue with interested parties over a potential investment play into the football club, remains on growing their $10bn-plus empire, one that includes sporting assets such as the Reds, the Boston Red Sox (MLB), the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) and RFK Racing (NASCAR), as well as other facets of the business such as real estate and talent management.
While the multi-club strategy is something that has gained traction in European football in recent years, spearheaded by the likes of Manchester City owners City Football Group and RB Leipzig owners Red Bull, for FSG the focus on expanding their football portfolio has taken a back seat, with the ownership group instead looking towards the greater cost certainty that exists within the closed, more financially predictable ecosystem of North American sports.
One place they do see themselves in the not too distant future is the NBA, the world’s premier basketball league. The NBA is eyeing expansion from 30 to 32 teams, with FSG and partner and basketball icon LeBron James looking towards a Las Vegas franchise in the coming years, one that James, a stakeholder in FSG, would almost certainly helm.
When FSG were linked with the sale of the Reds back in November there was the suggestion that it was being done to free up some capital to make a push for an NBA expansion franchise, likely to cost in excess of £2.5bn. However, numerous well-placed sources have repeatedly stressed to the ECHO that such links are erroneous and the ability of the company to acquire an NBA franchise in the future isn’t predicated on them selling all of part of Liverpool.
How soon an NBA expansion franchise may become available is not yet known, with the league to thrash out a new media deal next year that could pave the way for discussions to start over how to go about adding two more teams, with Seattle another major contender.
But NBA commissioner Adam Silver, speaking on the Dan Patrick Show recently, stated the current position of both the league and any interested parties in taking an NBA expansion franchise, of which FSG are one.
“It’s not a sure thing, but as I’ve said before, I think it’s natural that organisations grow over time,” he said. “We will look at [Las Vegas]. There’s no doubt there’s enormous interest in Seattle. That’s not a secret. There are other markets that have indicated interest.
“And just for the people who will hear or read about this interview, we are not engaged in that process now. I mean, we’re not taking meetings right now with any potential groups. What we’re saying to everyone privately is the same thing. I’m saying publicly that there’ll be a very open process at the time we’re ready to consider expansion. But that’s not yet – that’s not now.”
