The Updated Ownership Dynamics and Their Impact on Liverpool, According to FSG
In a significant development, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is reportedly considering a move into multi-club ownership in European football. The American-owned conglomerate, best known for their ownership of Liverpool Football Club, is rumoured to be eyeing Spanish sides Getafe and Levante, as well as a yet-to-be-named Portuguese club.
According to sources, a deal in principle has been agreed to buy Getafe, with an estimated cost of around £200 million. However, the potential deal may rely on Liverpool's summer spending, as FSG has previously only invested their own funds in the club for infrastructure upgrades.
Kieran Maguire, a football finance lecturer at the University of Liverpool, suggests that owning multiple clubs can create an ecosystem of scouting and player development. This model, he explains, could benefit Liverpool, particularly as the age demographic of the players they have signed this summer (Wirtz, Frimpong, and Kerkez) indicates future investment abroad from FSG.
The Portuguese league is attractive to FSG due to its development corridor with Brazil and coaching culture. Moreover, having a club in the European Union is attractive for player recruitment, particularly for Spanish players and players from the EU and South America. Maguire also states that this multi-club ownership model should not impact Liverpool, as it is a common practice and UEFA is trying to manage it.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are being heavily linked with a move for Newcastle's Alexander Isak, which could potentially smash the British transfer record. If Isak is signed, it may require unprecedented spending from FSG. The average age of the players signed by Liverpool this summer is 22, indicating that their peak years are ahead of them and they are expected to get better.
In addition to football, FSG's sport and entertainment portfolio is valued at around £12 billion, with Liverpool being the most valuable commodity. The group is also rumoured to be looking at English rugby union, with Premiership Rugby considering a franchise-style model.
Maguire also emphasises that the multi-club ownership model is used for development pathways and broader scouting networks. He suggests that owning multiple clubs can create an ecosystem of scouting and player development, benefiting all clubs involved. This approach could potentially enhance member retention, increase engagement across multiple clubs, and optimise operational efficiency for FSG.
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