Everton in Takeover Talks With Soros-Led SPAC

Everton FC has received takeover interest from a blank-check company co-led by Jeffrey Soros, the nephew of businessman and philanthropist George Soros, according to Bloomberg. 

The Premier League club — the 16th-most valuable soccer team in the world at $940 million, per Forbes — is having ongoing talks with LAMF Global Ventures Corp. I, but no deal is imminent. 

• LAMF raised $253 million in November 2021 in an initial public offering.
• Everton is owned by Farhad Moshiri, who first purchased a 50% stake in 2016.
• The club will have a new $566 million, state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool.

Everton also has takeover interest from another U.S. investor. 

In October, Minnesota-based investor Maciek Kaminski was in advanced talks to purchase Everton in a deal believed to be worth roughly $446.8 million, according to the Financial Times. 

Kaminski was initially going to make a bid for Everton with former Chelsea and Manchester United CEO Peter Kenyon, investment banker Michael Klein, and Barrick Gold executive chair John Thornton. 

Kaminski has since split with that group to make an offer of his own.

Iconic Takeovers 

A deal for Everton would see the latest takeover of an iconic English club.

In May, a group co-led by Todd Boehly purchased Chelsea FC for $5.3 billion, which put nine of 20 Premier League clubs under American ownership.

Manchester United is also the subject of sale speculation as its owner, the Glazer family, deals with pressure from fans due to concerns over the club’s viability and future.