American Ownership in English Football

[number 9]

It’s becoming more prevalent. To be honest, I’m fine with it. Of course, there are many contentious issues involved especially for the old guard British fans.

A bad example may be Man Utd and the Glazers…and perhaps Chelsea? Alienating Teuchel shows inexperience and pride based decisions going wrong. Wrexham on the other hand is certainly looking like things are going in the right direction.

If you compare ITFC to Chelsea for example. There are different approaches to ownership not necessarily based on nationality or experience. As far as we’re concerned, we have owners who appoint experts to run the company…and so far it seems to be working. Consequently, the organization benefits by creating a knowledgeable foundation for succeeding. I know this probably sounds racist, but I do not ever want middle eastern or Russian investment in my club. I have little respect for those entities, and I believe ownership is more about compassion for the sport in regard to a business opportunity. Our owners have shown genuine interest & knowledge of Ipswich Town. They’ve done their due diligence and seem like fans of our legacy.

What do you think?

[Charnwood]

It’s early days as yet 9 but from what I’ve seen so far I like it a lot as it’s revitalised our football club and given us all something to be cheerful about. What feels strange tho is that we’re not owned by wealthy individuals in search of excitement and personal gain but by an Investment Company managing funds on behalf of a large US pension pot - the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System who own 90% of Gamechanger.

Whilst we know the funds under management are huge I just have an uncomfortable feeling about what could happen if the football club started knocking up losses which as we know isn’t unusual in football club ownership. However, whereas often mega rich owners simply write off debt, or mortgage it against the clubs assets such as the Stadium which in our case is leased not owned, I just wonder what would happen.

Maybe I’m being overly suspicious and whilst we’re doing well that can stay suppressed. It just worries me that Pension Fund managers won’t want to hang onto an asset if it stops making them money. I would just love to know what the 10 year plan looks like but suspect it includes buying our way into the Premier League and then selling the Club on for a profit.

If I’m right I’m not sure how this fits with you guys who disapprove of Premier League Clubs who buy their success.

[number 9]

There’s no doubt, Gamechanger will eventually sell the club for profit. They’ve been classy in their approach, though. The one thing I give ME credit for is finding worthy investment. He could have sold to the highest bidder, but he obviously wanted what was best for ITFC. The monster that is Roy Keane ruined MEs plans for us, but such is life. Still have respect for him…he was unlucky.

[Ricco]

Yes clubs like Ipswich can sink lower, but it gets increasingly unlikely. It's as safe as a gamble gets in football I should think... buy a team at its lowest and get something to click and it's potentially all profits moving forward.

I have no idea at what point their investment is justified, but it's probably about going to plan if Town go up, they have spent a hell of a lot by league 1 standards, I've been surprised by the level of investment.

But I think it's been smart buys, they've done it right, don't spend 500k on and old git who is gaurenteed to be worth less a year later, spend 1m on a player coming in to their prime, with potential to triple, quadruple their value or more. It really shows Evans how it can and should be done, and the fact that his company holds conferences to educate other businesses how to steer their ship is absolutely hilarious, talk about snake oil salesman.

Basically what I'm saying is if the team stop performing in future, so long as they don't get silly with the spending, then the club is already worth a hell of a lot more and losses won't be great. They will have seen the potential for success, so I'm really not too worried about the ownership at this point.

As for US or foreign ownership, it can be good, it can be bad, it's no guarantee that a brit owner would care more, Evans vs Deadpool for example. In general it brings more money in the the country and our football leagues and that can only be a net positive.

[Mauswara]

I do not ever want middle eastern or Russian investment in my club.

What do you think?

Mate, with our fortunes over the last decade, I'd have taken Roman Abramovich over Marcus Evans any day.

[number 9]

I do not ever want middle eastern or Russian investment in my club.

What do you think?

Mate, with our fortunes over the last decade, I'd have taken Roman Abramovich over Marcus Evans any day.

Haha, yes at the time me too! However, I'm glad it didn't happen. I'm comfortable with our current ownership, and it seems like the culture of the club has not changed.

[Mauswara]

I do not ever want middle eastern or Russian investment in my club.

What do you think?

Mate, with our fortunes over the last decade, I'd have taken Roman Abramovich over Marcus Evans any day.

Haha, yes at the time me too! However, I'm glad it didn't happen. I'm comfortable with our current ownership, and it seems like the culture of the club has not changed.

Yes top marks to ME for not selling out to the first outfit waving a wad of cash. Gotta give him credit for that.