Liverpool

Linked to Liverpool, Billionaires Agree $6.05bn Buyout

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2023

Linked to Liverpool, Billionaires Agree $6.05bn Buyout

In a significant sporting landscape shift, the American billionaire known for being linked in Liverpool FC takeover circles, Josh Harris, has inked a deal to purchase an NFL team, the Washington Commanders. As reported by Liverpool World, the agreementl, sitting at a staggering $6.05 billion, has been agreed upon with the current owner, Dan Snyder. However, the deal is not yet set in stone, awaiting the green light from the NFL finance committee and the league’s team owners.

In his statement, Harris expressed anticipation for the official approval, stating, “We look forward to the formal approval of our ownership by the NFL in the months ahead and to having the honour to serve as responsible and accountable stewards of the Commanders franchise moving forward.”

Should this transaction come to fruition, the Washington Commanders would top the list as the most expensive sports team in history. It’s a title currently held by the Denver Broncos, an NFL team sold for $4.65 billion in August 2022. The most expensive Premier League side remains Chelsea, bought by a Todd Boehly-led consortium for £4.25 billion in May 2022.

Harris is no stranger to owning sports franchises, co-founding Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). Under their umbrella are NBA team Philadelphia 76ers and NHL side the New Jersey Devils. Additionally, Harris, along with partner David Blitzer, holds an 18% stake in Crystal Palace.

Liverpool FC’s Prospective Suitors: Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

Rumours have been rife since November of last year when Fenway Sports Group (FSG) started seeking investment in Liverpool FC. HBSE was mentioned as a ‘genuine suitor’, even after narrowly missing out on purchasing Chelsea when Roman Abramovich was forced to sell due to sanctions imposed by the UK government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Commanders deal also ropes in Blitzer, along with basketball legend Magic Johnson. An ecstatic Harris included his partners in the statement, saying, “On behalf of our entire ownership group — including Mitch Rales, my longtime sports business partner David Blitzer and Earvin Magic Johnson I want to express how excited we are to be considered by the NFL to be the next owners of the Washington Commanders and how committed we are to delivering a championship-calibre franchise for this city and its fanbase.”

The question now remains: What does this monumental deal mean for Liverpool FC? As an already established force in the sporting world, Harris’s growing portfolio could spell significant changes for the football club. Only time will tell if the Reds will join the ranks of these high-profile sports franchises.

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Exclusive: The real reason Liverpool have agreed Schmadtke deal

Liverpool have decided to appoint Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director because he will challenge manager Jurgen Klopp, sources have told Football Insider.

Sources told this site on Thursday (11 May) that the 59-year-old German has accepted the Reds’ offer of a three-year contract.

Schmadtke will work in tandem with Klopp, who has given the green light to the appointment of a proven operator who is far from a ‘yes man’.

There is a sense from outside Liverpool that their long-serving manager wants an iron grip on the club’s recruitment, but club insiders have revealed that is far from the case.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Klopp is keen on a more collaborative approach in which differing opinions and viewpoints are taken on board.

He is believed to have regularly disagreed with former sporting director Michael Edwards over signings and contracts – but the duo oversaw a transfer record that was the envy of Europe’s elite clubs.

Sources have told this site that Schmadtke is “hugely opinionated” and “challenging” but also extremely knowledgeable.

The German, who left a sporting director role at Wolfsburg in January, will take the reins at the start of the summer transfer window – replacing incumbent Julian Ward.

Schmadtke’s terms sheet will run concurrently with that of Klopp – with the 55-year-old boss out of contract in the summer of 2026.

The incoming sporting director will fit in alongside long-serving chief scouts Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter on the Liverpool recruitment team.

Liverpool were reserved with their transfer business in the 2022-23 campaign – bringing in just four permanent signings for a fee, including Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez.

The Merseysiders are expected to overhaul their midfield in the off-season with the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of contract.

In other news, Man United enter race to sign Liverpool midfield target.