Wednesday, 6th October 2010
Liverpool Football Club have agreed a sale with New England Sports Ventures as the Premier League side’s ownership saga tumbles towards a conclusion. And while Liverpool’s board have accepted the bid from a group which owns the Boston Red Sox, current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will resort to legal challenge to prevent the sale.
Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton confirmed the sale and state of play in a statement to the club’s website which read: “I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive. The Board decided to accept NESV’s proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV’s philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.
“We’ve met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.
“By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team. I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale.”
Liverpool’s board now face a potentially lengthy legal battle with Gillett and Hicks for the right to sell the club. The American duo will argue a sale to the NESV group does not reflect the club’s true worth.
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