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TFG ready to bail out at Everton

The Friedkin Group (TFG) is open to a full sale of Everton as it seeks external investment in the Premier League club.  The New York Times reported in September that Everton’s American owner was looking for fresh investment into the club. The idea had been to find strategic investors who could help push the club forward through a minority sale, but sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said a sale of TFG’s majority stake is now also being considered.

TFG is only open to selling full control of Everton if it is convinced the new owner is the right person or group to take the club to the next level.

The Houston-based group is completely happy to hold onto and support the club for as long as it takes for such an owner to appear.

Despite the openness to selling Everton less than two years into its ownership, TFG has a feeling of pride at stabilising the club and putting it in a position to be attractive to a buyer, which was not the case at the time of the takeover.

Everton confirmed later on Friday that TFG was exploring its options, including the possibility of selling a controlling stake.  “When TFG became custodians of Everton, the Club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch,” the club said in a statement. “The immediate priority was to provide the stability, investment and support needed to secure the club’s future, including helping to bring the long-promised stadium to completion for its deserving supporters.

“With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton. We will only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.”

TFG bought Everton through its UK investment vehicle Roundhouse Capital in December 2024, purchasing Farhad Moshiri’s 94 per cent stake.  The takeover concluded a protracted process and years of uncertainty at the club, with significant financial difficulties experienced under former owner Moshiri, and talks breaking down with proposed investors 777, MSP Sports Capital and the KAM Group.

One of TFG’s first acts following its takeover was to put Everton back on a more stable footing, refinancing much of the club’s expensive debt and agreeing lower-interest loans secured against their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. They have already attracted investment into Roundhouse, with former Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and American billionaire Christopher Sarofim both taking minority stakes last year.

It is not thoujght that events at Manchster City will have any impact on sale prospects as American investors remain interested in Premier League franchises.

 

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