John Henry’s stance on Liverpool will likely stop HBSE from buying the club, according to reports. The investor group is worth over £7bn.
This comes from the Liverpool Echo. They claim that Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, a US investment firm, is considering an offer to buy Liverpool from FSG.
The group already owns several US sports teams: The NBA’s Philidelphia 76ers, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and MLS’s Real Salt Lake. The two principal owners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, also each own an 18% share in Crystal Palace.
The group attempted to buy Chelsea earlier this year, too, showing a willingness to give up their shares in Palace. Now they’re supposedly turning their attention to Liverpool.
Harris, who’s worth £6.25bn, and Blitzer, £1bn, are yet to make a firm decision on pushing for a move. They’re currently mulling it over, though.
However, the Echo claims sources tell them that a sale is unlikely. HBSE wanted Chelsea but at that discounted price earlier in the year. Getting Liverpool for similar money would be incredibly difficult, they say, as John Henry has a ‘lack of urgency’ when it comes to selling the club.
While he’s willing to sell, there’s no rush – and that makes negotiating with FSG’s figurehead difficult.
HBSE buying Liverpool
On the one hand, we want this situation sorted ASAP, which makes Henry’s stance a little frustrating. On the other, we’d much rather the club wasn’t sold to a group that seeks a bargain.
That just seems like getting off on the wrong foot. It’s also worth mentioning that none of the teams mentioned above have won anything under HBSE. The 76ers do have a legitimate shot at the NBA championship this year, however.
We wouldn’t get too annoyed at Henry over this, then. He isn’t going to sell to a group that struggles for funds or seeks a bargain sale. That’s definitely a good thing for Liverpool.
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