Liverpool Owner John Henry insists that "it is a myth that a new stadium will transform the club's financial fortunes," according to the PA. Henry has suggested a new stadium in Stanley Park "would most likely lead to increased ticket prices." Henry believes Liverpool would best compete financially "through worldwide commercial revenue streams." He also believes their long-term future "is not dependent on the stadium issue, which casts doubt over whether the long-mooted Stanley Park project will ever come to fruition." In an email to The Anfield Wrap website, Henry wrote, "A belief has grown that Liverpool must have a new stadium to compete with [Manchester] United, Arsenal and others. No one has ever addressed whether or not a new stadium is rational. New stadiums that are publicly-financed make sense for clubs – I've never heard of a club turning down a publicly-financed stadium. But privately carrying new stadiums is an enormous challenge" (PA, 6/15). Meanwhile, the BBC reported that Fenway Sports Group is "believed to have long favoured the remodelling of Anfield." The ownership group "was faced with a similar situation" with one of their other clubs, the MLB Boston Red Sox. After conducting a year-long feasibility study, FSG "opted to redevelop" the 100-year-old Fenway Park. Henry "hinted" a year ago that "he was keen to do something similar with Anfield," stating that it "would be hard to replicate the atmosphere generated at the stadium" (BBC, 6/15).
