FSG set to sell LFC or Red Sox?

By Olivavu, Thu 13/09/12 at 20:00

It's being reported in America that Liverpool's owner, Fenway Sports Group, are finding it difficult to run their two giant sport 'franchises' and devote enough time and funds to both, subsequently they are looking to sell one. It would be easier to find a buyer for Boston Red Sox than the Merseyside club which makes the American team the more likely sale.

The revelations come from Fox Business and say that, after a poor year for John W Henry's investment company, he's reassessing his situation and what the best way forward would be. Fox claim:

According to people with direct knowledge of the matter, the biggest challenge for Henry is running two expensive sports franchises. Fenway Sports purchased the Liverpool team for $476 million in 2010, and has been widely criticized for overpaying for players who have under-delivered.

In fact, Henry recently wrote an open letter to Liverpool fans, vowing not to overspend on talent in the future, but stating his commitment to keeping the team.

By weighing a sale of the Red Sox, Henry could devote more resources to the Liverpool team. Also, unloading Liverpool is considered more difficult compared with a franchise with the name recognition of the Red Sox, despite its lousy 2012 season.

On one hand, if John Henry does manager to sell Boston Red Sox and devote more time to Liverpool then that can't be a bad thing for the club which has been accused of having something of a power vacuum with the owners trying to run the show as much as possible from America.

But if he struggles to offload Red Sox then a Liverpool sale is also a possibility and the supporters wouldn't want to go through another change of ownership given what they've experienced in the past few years with the club being sold.

If FSG have financial issues related to funding Liverpool then any stadium development is plunged further into doubt and delayed more than it already has been but if funds become available after a Red Sox sale then it presents the opposite situation.

John W Henry has since denied the claims but the story is being run by an increasing number of outlets in America and this could be a rumour which drags on.

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/liverpool-owners-weighing-up-shock-sale-of-the-club-or-boston-red

Nicho
Thu 13/09/12 at 20:10

Gerg already posted a related story in the Open letter to fans from John Henry thread, including a link to a Fox business newsreel. No mention of them selling LFC but plenty of speculation about off loading the Red Sox.

Olivavu
Thu 13/09/12 at 20:27

Let's hope that is correct then.

Unless we are going to get a Sheikh Mansour, then we are in the best possible hands.

Boston Red Sox would be the easier to shift and hopefully they are going to go down that route.

ArtonSG8
Thu 13/09/12 at 22:02

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/redsox/story/2012/09/13/boston-red-sox-owner-john-henry-squashed-the-rumor-that-the-franchise-was-up-for-sale/57777362/1

Not true!

Olivavu
Thu 13/09/12 at 22:07

Is it? Or is he trying to keep his business private?

LFC SUB
Thu 13/09/12 at 23:39

One thing is for sure the idea of a job for life no longer exists the same applies with our club owners. It is what it is we are now sold as a going concern like any other business it's the same for most other teams. Personally the barca model probably works the best the supporters own the club. I think that is the most sustainable model. The supporters who care most about the club own it.

bengate
Fri 14/09/12 at 08:00

Oh no, not more instability!

ArtonSG8
Fri 14/09/12 at 12:47

Quote from: Olivavu on Thu 13/09/12 at 22:07

Is it? Or is he trying to keep his business private?

Maybe,I hope this is true.

Nicho
Fri 14/09/12 at 13:18

I can just hear the conversation in some newsroom or the other that led to this
"I see John Henry's company isn't doing so well"
"Maybe he'll have to offload one of his sports franchises to bring in some capital"
"His football club is only worth $700,000 while the Red Sox would fetch twice as much."
"Reckon it'll be the Red Sox then"
"I'll put it in the 6 o'clock bulletin"
"We don't know for sure if it's true"
"Who cares. We've never worried about that before."

ArtonSG8
Fri 14/09/12 at 13:22

Quote from: Nicho on Fri 14/09/12 at 13:18

I can just hear the conversation in some newsroom or the other that led to this
"I see John Henry's company isn't doing so well"
"Maybe he'll have to offload one of his sports franchises to bring in some capital"
"His football club is only worth $700,000 while the Red Sox would fetch twice as much."
"Reckon it'll be the Red Sox then"
"I'll put it in the 6 o'clock bulletin"
"We don't know for sure if it's true"
"Who cares. We've never worried about that before."

WestAussie-Red
Sat 15/09/12 at 09:56

Never let he truth get in the way of a good story

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