Déjà Vu: Everton Loses Takeover Bid From U.S. Investor

Everton is back in the hunt for a new owner after yet another U.S. investment group backed out of taking over the embattled Premier League club.

On Friday, Everton announced that The Friedkin Group will not be progressing with a purchase of the club after the conclusion of a period of exclusive discussions for a potential sale of a majority stake. “The parties agree it is in both their interests for Everton to explore alternative options,” a team statement read.

Led by billionaire Dan Friedkin, the Houston-based company was considering buying the shares of Everton held by Farhad Moshiri, who owns 94.1% of the club through Blue Heaven Holdings. It would have been the second top-flight European soccer club for Friedkin, who also owns Serie A side AS Roma.

Deal or No Deal?

The latest development with Everton comes less than two months after a separate takeover attempt by Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners collapsed. That agreement was originally struck last September and was supposed to close in 2023, but it never received regulatory approval due to financing issues for 777.

Before the 777 deal, Everton also tried and failed to sell a minority stake to New York–based firm MSP Sports Capital in 2023 for $190 million.

Homecoming

Despite the uncertainty surrounding ownership, Everton has been moving forward with construction of its new 53,000-seat waterfront stadium (above) in downtown Liverpool. 

Even with The Friedkin Group ending its takeover bid, the company will stick around as a lender for Everton. The new stadium broke ground in 2021 with an estimated price tag around $700 million. The club is planning to move in before the start of the 2025–26 English soccer season. It finished the ’23–24 season 15th in the EPL, three spots up from relegation.