03/09/2026
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The Financial Times today carries a report that The Firedkin Group are working on a proposal to attract additional investors by selling a stake in Everton, following their purchase of the club from Farhad Moshiri for a knock-down price that they say was £330M back in 2024.
The FT says:
Rising valuations in sport and the cost of competing in the Premier League mean it is increasingly common for teams to be owned by consortiums rather than a single investor.
In April last year, Friedkin and his family sold equity in Roundhouse Capital Holdings, the entity that controls Everton, to Christopher Sarofim, who chairs investment manager Fayez Sarofim & Co.
The FT article provides a potted history of Everton Football Club and ties the need for investment with the challenges clubs face in the transfer market:
This summer, Premier League clubs spent a record €4.1B on players, according to data website Transfermarkt, recouping €2.5B in sales.
However, Everton spent just shy of €103M on players, less than the €129M it raised through player sales. There has been a backlash from the club’s fans over the window where top players left and an attempted £40M deal for US World Cup star Folarin Balogun fell through at the eleventh hour.
Reader Comments (24)
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Steve Brown
2 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:13:00
2 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:13:00
Everton Football Club's billionaire owners are seeking new investors less than two years after buying the club, following a summer transfer window in which Premier League rivals drove spending to new records in an arms race for talent.
The Friedkin Group, the US conglomerate that also owns Italian football club AS Roma, is working with advisers on the Everton stake sale process, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Ian, also reported that TFG want to bring an NHL team to Austin so maybe to help fund that. They should sort out their current shitshow before creating a new one.
The Friedkin Group, the US conglomerate that also owns Italian football club AS Roma, is working with advisers on the Everton stake sale process, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Ian, also reported that TFG want to bring an NHL team to Austin so maybe to help fund that. They should sort out their current shitshow before creating a new one.
John Collins
3 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:22:15
3 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:22:15
What a gig.
Buy a club for a knockdown price. Make a £25M profit to add to the £40M for selling Goodison Park.
Sell a stake to cover a large portion of your original costs. Continue allowing the fans to buy the club for you on a leveraged basis.
Buy a club for a knockdown price. Make a £25M profit to add to the £40M for selling Goodison Park.
Sell a stake to cover a large portion of your original costs. Continue allowing the fans to buy the club for you on a leveraged basis.
Mike Hayes
4 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:41:33
4 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:41:33
You couldn't make this up.
They are more interested in Roma than us -- bit off more than they can chew.
So much for them not being sellers! 🤷💙
They are more interested in Roma than us -- bit off more than they can chew.
So much for them not being sellers! 🤷💙
James Marshall
5 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:57:19
5 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:57:19
For those who don't have a subscription to the FT, someone has kindly posted the report halfway down this Reddit thread:
Link
Link
Ian Burns
6 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:07:07
6 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:07:07
Thanks for the link, James. Interesting - we won't get a Bezos - we might not get anybody, as noted in the article.
But what is clear: we need a fresh face asap. Somebody with the nous to appoint experienced, successful football people at the helm.
But what is clear: we need a fresh face asap. Somebody with the nous to appoint experienced, successful football people at the helm.
Tony Abrahams
7 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:46:27
7 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:46:27
So the silent Friedkins are looking for outside investment. My tip for any potential investor would be to open negotiations and then go on holiday for a couple of weeks and then see if they are still waiting when you return.
If Ndiaye was just concerned about a payday, he would have gone to Saudi and earned himself £300k a week, tax free.
If Ndiaye was just concerned about a payday, he would have gone to Saudi and earned himself £300k a week, tax free.
Stu Gre
8 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:57:04
8 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:57:04
Interesting to see rumours of a partial sale by Friedkin, which slightly goes against the wisdom that Friedkin acquires but never sells.
I did some research and, whilst I'm no expert, I'm not sure the "Friedkin never sells" mantra is accurate. Dig deep and a more accurate statement would be "Friedkins don't advertise when they sell, cos they don't have to..."
Without going into too much boring detail, which I bearly understand, the only real way to tell if they sold stuff is to look at where ownership has changed hands which is a complicated and laborious task when you consider the number of legal entities you might have to trawl through.
Bottom line, Friedkin sell if the product doesn't match their core operations and target model. They sell for a quick profit and don't look back. (Did they see an opportunity after the 777 debacle, to take advantage of Moshiri, buy a bargain, stabilise and turn a profit through minimal investment?)
I'm watching how this develops, but I feel dirty.
I did some research and, whilst I'm no expert, I'm not sure the "Friedkin never sells" mantra is accurate. Dig deep and a more accurate statement would be "Friedkins don't advertise when they sell, cos they don't have to..."
Without going into too much boring detail, which I bearly understand, the only real way to tell if they sold stuff is to look at where ownership has changed hands which is a complicated and laborious task when you consider the number of legal entities you might have to trawl through.
Bottom line, Friedkin sell if the product doesn't match their core operations and target model. They sell for a quick profit and don't look back. (Did they see an opportunity after the 777 debacle, to take advantage of Moshiri, buy a bargain, stabilise and turn a profit through minimal investment?)
I'm watching how this develops, but I feel dirty.
Scott Hamilton
9 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:23:54
9 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:23:54
Are we for sale?
I can’t find anything on t’internet so wouldn’t mind some links if anyone’s got anything, thanks.
Surely there must be some barbaric authoritarian regime out there that hasn’t bought a club and wants us. Do the Bahrain royals own a club yet?
They’re huge investors in the McLaren F1 team, which helped push them to consecutive constructors titles and a drivers championship, having been in the doldrums previously.
I’ll get them on the blower…
I can’t find anything on t’internet so wouldn’t mind some links if anyone’s got anything, thanks.
Surely there must be some barbaric authoritarian regime out there that hasn’t bought a club and wants us. Do the Bahrain royals own a club yet?
They’re huge investors in the McLaren F1 team, which helped push them to consecutive constructors titles and a drivers championship, having been in the doldrums previously.
I’ll get them on the blower…
Ian Wilkins
10 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:28:02
10 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:28:02
It would be good if, whilst seeking a partial sale, a would-be new owner emerges, buying the club.
One that understands football. One that realises the business of selling cars doesn’t transition automatically into owning and running a football club.
One who understandably wants to make a return on their investment but also wants to see, and is prepared to invest in making our team successful again.
One that understands football. One that realises the business of selling cars doesn’t transition automatically into owning and running a football club.
One who understandably wants to make a return on their investment but also wants to see, and is prepared to invest in making our team successful again.
Scott Hamilton
11 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:29:35
11 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:29:35
Cheers Michael, I couldn’t get passed the FT’s paywall.
Ian Horan
12 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:31:00
12 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:31:00
We need to push for Elon Musk to invest; I can't stand him personally.
It would be interesting as Musk and Bezos (Amazon) hate each other, so it would bring a greater rivalry with RS and the Red cartel Sky Sly Six...
It would be interesting as Musk and Bezos (Amazon) hate each other, so it would bring a greater rivalry with RS and the Red cartel Sky Sly Six...
Ajay Gopal
13 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:38:57
13 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:38:57
Any stake sale does nothing for the club's ability to increase spending limits imposed by the SCR rules, which I am more and more convinced is designed to protect the Sly 6 and similar clubs across other leagues.
I have no problem if TFG make a shed load of money on Everton, because, again, that has no direct bearing on Everton's footballing fortunes. Hopefully, they sell a controlling stake to someone who actually has a vision to grow and develop the club to make it more competitive.
I have no problem if TFG make a shed load of money on Everton, because, again, that has no direct bearing on Everton's footballing fortunes. Hopefully, they sell a controlling stake to someone who actually has a vision to grow and develop the club to make it more competitive.
Ian Wilkins
14 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:41:51
14 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:41:51
Musk once said he'd be interested in buying Liverpool. Said his son was a fan.
Said his grandmother was born and grew up in South Liverpool.
Said his grandmother was born and grew up in South Liverpool.
Christy Ring
15 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:43:59
15 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:43:59
Guilia Bould reported this earlier. I can understand why they wanted to sell Armstrong now, and the complete transfer window shambles, Kinnear doing their work for them.
I still believe you shouldn't be allowed to own two clubs. Sad to see two big knobs took shares in the redshite.
American owners are in the Premier League just to make a profit. Man Utd's owners never put a penny into the club and look what they're worth now.
I still believe you shouldn't be allowed to own two clubs. Sad to see two big knobs took shares in the redshite.
American owners are in the Premier League just to make a profit. Man Utd's owners never put a penny into the club and look what they're worth now.
Mark Taylor
16 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:44:32
16 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:44:32
Wonder if they are going to adopt the Man Utd model whereby they get in a big minority investor willing to run the club, something they don't seem too hot on, while sitting in the background, watching the investment grow and taking dividends as and when.
Kunal Desai
17 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:46:31
17 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:46:31
Is AJ Bell still knocking around? Surely, he can round up a consortium for a full takeover.
Selling a stake with them having full controlling interest would be mad. Need a party who is fully invested in Everton FC.
Selling a stake with them having full controlling interest would be mad. Need a party who is fully invested in Everton FC.
Pete Neilson
18 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:47:19
18 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:47:19
Friedkin is looking at a new National Hockey League franchise.
Evaluating Houston and Austin as potential locations with the expansion fee ($2B) and new arena ($1.5B) potentially costing TFG $3.5B. Hopefully they move Angus over there to manage it.
Evaluating Houston and Austin as potential locations with the expansion fee ($2B) and new arena ($1.5B) potentially costing TFG $3.5B. Hopefully they move Angus over there to manage it.
Brian Harrison
19 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:56:59
19 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:56:59
Lets hope they are trying to sell the club, but I just wonder if they are following the Glazers' playbook at Man Utd, who let Ratcliffe spend a fortune for less than 50% ownership.
Now any blame is directed at Ratcliffe and not the Glazers so a win-win for them, keep taking their money out but leave all the problems to Ratcliffe.
Now any blame is directed at Ratcliffe and not the Glazers so a win-win for them, keep taking their money out but leave all the problems to Ratcliffe.
Andrew Bentley
20 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:20:47
20 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:20:47
Selling a stake now makes sense as the opportunity for greater returns from being in the premier league have never been higher and our books look good with the recent (lack of buys!) trading.
However if you were investing right now you’d be looking at the squad depth and risk factor of the club dropping out of the premier league as a huge risk that means you could lose your money if you are only in it for the short term. This is where Angus and team have f’d up to be honest
Be interesting to see how performances on the pitch affect those off it and whether the transfer window debacle plays a role in the investor strategy
However if you were investing right now you’d be looking at the squad depth and risk factor of the club dropping out of the premier league as a huge risk that means you could lose your money if you are only in it for the short term. This is where Angus and team have f’d up to be honest
Be interesting to see how performances on the pitch affect those off it and whether the transfer window debacle plays a role in the investor strategy
Jimmy Carr
21 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:23:36
21 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:23:36
Well one good thing has come out of this, we now know the real scale of ambition TFG have for the club. None. They are intent on recouping their investment and making as much money as possible.
No offence to Mike G, but he’s talked some nonsense about TFG’s intentions. However we’re in a new stadium and on a secure financial footing, so we have gone forward since Moshiri, but our owners have no interest in taking us forward on the pitch. Selling some of their stake elsewhere won’t make a blind bit of difference to us as none of that money will be invested in the team.
Moyes will have his work cut out keeping morale up. The match atmosphere could be interesting at the weekend. If I was a season ticket holder, I’d be furious after that window.
No offence to Mike G, but he’s talked some nonsense about TFG’s intentions. However we’re in a new stadium and on a secure financial footing, so we have gone forward since Moshiri, but our owners have no interest in taking us forward on the pitch. Selling some of their stake elsewhere won’t make a blind bit of difference to us as none of that money will be invested in the team.
Moyes will have his work cut out keeping morale up. The match atmosphere could be interesting at the weekend. If I was a season ticket holder, I’d be furious after that window.
Paul Hewitt
22 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:24:24
22 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:24:24
Amanda Stavely is looking to invest into a football club, she's currently trying to buy west ham. I think she'd be a good owner, and has middle east contacts.
Mark Ryan
23 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:40:06
23 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:40:06
Paul @ 22 I've just been mulling this over with my Mrs and she said exactly the same thing " let's hope Stavely listening" ha ha.
It's all rather sad that TFG don't see us as an exciting prospect but I don’t want us to have owners who are absent landlords, I want interested people ie someone with our passion but whoever it is going to be I want them to have an interest in Football and understand Football and have deep pockets. Are these people out there ? I think Stavely knows who they are and perhaps could give us that. Here's hoping
It's all rather sad that TFG don't see us as an exciting prospect but I don’t want us to have owners who are absent landlords, I want interested people ie someone with our passion but whoever it is going to be I want them to have an interest in Football and understand Football and have deep pockets. Are these people out there ? I think Stavely knows who they are and perhaps could give us that. Here's hoping
Mark Taylor
24 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:41:36
24 Posted 03/09/2026 at 14:41:36
I took a look at the official Everton website and two things stood out
1) Under the fan charter, talk of accountability and transparency
2) Absolutely zero reference to the two burning issues, the transfer window debacle and the owners trying to sell their shares.
Like so much in life nowadays, performative and non functioning.
1) Under the fan charter, talk of accountability and transparency
2) Absolutely zero reference to the two burning issues, the transfer window debacle and the owners trying to sell their shares.
Like so much in life nowadays, performative and non functioning.
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1 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:09:43
Everton FC owners look for investors after football’s summer deal rush
Classic, get your money back and still own the investment.
The new DirectTV Premier League channel will increase the likelihood of investors seeking the return and not the glory.