With "rumors swirling" in the media about a potential buyer for Liverpool, sources said that there are "multiple groups interested in buying" the EPL club but Fenway Sports Group, controlled by billionaire John Henry, "is not interested in selling a controlling stake," according to Mike Ozanian of FORBES. A quick recap.
Last September, Winner Sports reported that “Talks are taking place” over a planned takeover of Liverpool by the house of Al Maktoum (Royal family of Dubai), according to sources with close connections to the Dubai royal family. In March of this year, sbnation ran a story highlighting the big financial gains made by Liverpool and also said, “A few recent media articles have mentioned the possibility of a sale of a minority interest in the club by FSG." A month later, KOPtalk reported, “One suggestion is that Sheikh Khalifa, president of the United Arab Emirates and the wealthier half-brother of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, is the man behind an alleged take-over attempt." Henry and the other investors in Liverpool paid an enterprise value of $476M for the team in '10. So a sale price of $987M "could be enticing." FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox and half of Roush Fenway Racing, "has been approached by multiple parties looking to buy the team over the past few months" but they are reportedly not "interested in selling a controlling interest." Sources said that Henry, who angered Liverpool supporters last season when he wanted to increase ticket prices, "has not even wanted to meet or discuss with anyone associated with any of the potential suitors" (FORBES, 6/16).
