Sports Business : Premier League giant Liverpool Football Club up for sale

Premier League’s leading club Liverpool is reportedly up for sale.

A New York Post report states that the American businessman John Henry has dropped hints that he was willing to sell LiverpoolFootball Club. 

Even as Liverpool Football Club owners Fenway Sports Group have dismissed “unfounded speculation” that they were willing to sell Liverpool Football Club, Henry was reportedly entertaining offers from the buyers privately in an informal process outside of an official auction. Henry is reported to be looking for a deal for over $2 billion. The club was recently valued at US$1.94 billion by Forbes.

The 69-year-old Henry has not publicly voiced his intent to sell Liverpool, the club Fenway Sports Group had for UK£300 million in October 2010,

“It’s for sale if he can get the right price,” the paper has reported quoting a source. The report states that two other sources have hinted that Liverpool was essentially up for sale.

While the club ownership has dismissed the New York Post report as “unfounded speculation”, the newspaper has stated that Henry’s represented declined to comment on the development.

In August, the Daily Mail reported that in late 2017 Sheik Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan, whose family governs Abu Dhabi, and a Chinese partner made an unsuccessful approach to buy Liverpool. Representatives for FSG then said in the same month that the club was not for sale.

Also read: Failed Liverpool takeover bid leaves Man U highest valued club

FSG, having multiple sports business interests,  also owns recently crowned Major League Baseball (MLB) champions the Boston Red Sox, 80 per cent of the New England Sports Network and 50 per cent of Roush Fenway Racing. Sources told the Post that the Red Sox suffered financial losses during the 2018 season despite their World Series win, but it is not yet known whether there is a connection between the team’s finances and Henry’s intent to sell Liverpool

Liverpool is currently second in the Premier League table with 9 wins from 12 matches. Last year’s league winners Manchester City is leading the table with 10 wins from 12 league games.