The advantages and disadvantages of Fenway Sports Group's cross ownership of the Red Sox and EPL club Liverpool "are still evolving, but one of the benefits is a chance for a high-level exhibition" match between Liverpool and Serie A club AS Roma tonight at Fenway Park, according to Frank Dell’Apa of the BOSTON GLOBE. Liverpool will be the “home” team, as the club is owned by FSG. Roma “also has local ties,” as club Owner & CEO James Pallotta is an investor in the Celtics, and Celtics F Kevin Garnett is a Roma minority investor. Liverpool Chief Commercial Officer Billy Hogan is among “the few former Fenway employees to cross the pond" since FSG acquired control of Liverpool in '10. Hogan said, “There are a lot of similarities between Liverpool and the Red Sox. The fan base, most importantly. Both have a strong following and tremendously passionate fan base.” Dell'Apa writes FSG co-Chairs John Henry and Tom Werner “did not invest in Liverpool because they wanted to acquire another logistically-challenging stadium or because they recently became soccer fans.” The team’s global reach and potential for growth “make the club less provincial than the Red Sox.” Hogan said, “One of the interesting things is, if you look at merchandise and retail. The Red Sox share it, and we (Liverpool) control it, on a global basis. If you think about the revenue opportunities, there is more landscape to cover and areas to generate revenue. The Red Sox are confined to six New England states and Major League Baseball controls a lot of the global and international rights.” Dell’Apa notes Liverpool yesterday announced Chevrolet as a sponsor. Hogan said, “We also have a deal with an Indonesian airline (Garuda). That’s a great example of the global nature of Liverpool and it speaks to the global nature of the fan base, for sure.” He added, “All of the properties operate independently. What happens to the Red Sox during the season doesn’t have any bearing on Liverpool. They stand alone. But on the marketing and business side there are opportunities” (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/25).
TEAMWORK: Liverpool MF Steven Gerrard said, “I think it’s interesting. The Boston Red Sox over here are a very big team and so is Liverpool back where we’re from. I think the important thing for the owners is, can we make both clubs successful at the same time? That’s the challenge and for me, I can only speak on behalf of Liverpool Football Club and say we’ll give everything we’ve got to bring as much success to the owners as possible” (BOSTON HERALD, 7/25).
