US Investors - Could a takeover happen at Ewood?

[Claytons Left Boot]

I watched a very interesting podcast on YouTube a few weeks ago regarding the increasing number of football clubs, in the UK and beyond, being taken over by investors from the United States.

You’ll have to forgive the Celtic slant on this as, in the main, it’s a discussion between Tino of The Celtic Exchange and his guest David Low and their thoughts on the possible takeover at Rangers by the San Francisco 49ers. 

The discussion has a much wider relevance, however, because David Low outlines some of the reasons for these takeovers and just what happens once the investors take control. 

David Low for many years has worked in the finance industry. In the early 1990s he was an investment analyst and was instrumental in being a member of the ‘rebels’ who ousted the old board at Celtic, paving the way for Fergus McCann to takeover and drag Celtic kicking and screaming into the late 20th century.

In the podcast, he outlines the fact that there are numerous billionaires in the US who are looking to invest in sporting institutions, whether they be football clubs, baseball clubs, ice hockey, American football and so on. Far more billionaires than available clubs over there and that’s why they have been turning their attention to the UK and elsewhere.

If the takeover at Rangers were to go ahead, he thinks it will follow what he calls the ‘little cheque, big cheque’ method. This is where the investors purchase the football club with a little cheque. They don’t invest much in the team but they do improve the stadium facilities, the corporate structure etc and use their expertise to streamline the club and get it in a much better financial shape. Having done all this and made the club more attractive, they then sit back and wait for another bid for the club further down the line. They then sell and receive their big cheque.

This is what is currently happening at Leeds, where the SF49ers have also recently taken control. A bit different at Leeds (as opposed to in Scotland) as the riches of the English Premier League await if, as expected, Leeds get promoted either this season or in the very near future. The 49ers may choose to sell, once Leeds get to the promised land and, therefore, get their big cheque or indeed stay in control if they feel they can milk the club further.

Not all takeovers follow the little cheque, big cheque method. They’re all different and some investors are in it for the long haul, although others will always sell after ploughing in considerable millions if the price is right.

There was talk, a while back on here, of two approaches made to BRFC by supposed interested parties (unaware if they were from the US) but they probably never got past the phone call stage, as Venky’s refused to take matters forward. 

The relevance of all this, to us, is that it dispels the myth that there would be no one waiting in the wings to take us over. The myth that 98% of our support trot out if ever the discussion arises. 

We are an attractive proposition. Other than a thorough cleansing, we have a decent sized, attractive, relatively modern stadium, a Category One status academy and a part dormant support that would return both if we again got to the PL and/or Venky’s got shunted into oblivion.

How nice would it be to also shunt Waggott, Suhail & Co into oblivion, to be replaced with a competent, forward thinking board and start to grow the club again. No wonder the above approaches never got past the telephone stage.

I’m not too good at doing links but the podcast mentioned above is on YouTube, the account on that platform is The Celtic Exchange and, if you scroll down/across, it’s about the 8th one down with ‘Transatlantic Takeovers’ in the title.
 

 

 

[Feed the Yak]

I got excited for a moment there.

[...]

10 minutes ago, Feed the Yak said:

I got excited for a moment there.

Same.

 

[Herbie6590]

The answer to the question is “yes”…but first Venky’s have to entertain offers…

[levi]

The name of this thread needs changing as i also got excited

[Roverthechimp]

US Investors - Could a takeover happen at Ewood?

In theory - yes

In practice - no

Why not? That is the (approximately) 233 000 000 dollar question 🤔🤯

[Claytons Left Boot]

The main purpose of my original post was to highlight the appetite in the US to purchase football clubs outside of that country due to the high numbers of billionaires there in relation to the minimal amount of clubs - and other sporting institutions- available. They are looking to buy abroad and this dispels the myth that ‘nobody would buy us.’

[simongarnerisgod]

i`de welcome anybody buying rovers,whoever they are,they can`t be worse than venkys

[RoversClitheroe]

3 hours ago, Claytons Left Boot said:

I watched a very interesting podcast on YouTube a few weeks ago regarding the increasing number of football clubs, in the UK and beyond, being taken over by investors from the United States.

You’ll have to forgive the Celtic slant on this as, in the main, it’s a discussion between Tino of The Celtic Exchange and his guest David Low and their thoughts on the possible takeover at Rangers by the San Francisco 49ers. 

The discussion has a much wider relevance, however, because David Low outlines some of the reasons for these takeovers and just what happens once the investors take control. 

David Low for many years has worked in the finance industry. In the early 1990s he was an investment analyst and was instrumental in being a member of the ‘rebels’ who ousted the old board at Celtic, paving the way for Fergus McCann to takeover and drag Celtic kicking and screaming into the late 20th century.

In the podcast, he outlines the fact that there are numerous billionaires in the US who are looking to invest in sporting institutions, whether they be football clubs, baseball clubs, ice hockey, American football and so on. Far more billionaires than available clubs over there and that’s why they have been turning their attention to the UK and elsewhere.

If the takeover at Rangers were to go ahead, he thinks it will follow what he calls the ‘little cheque, big cheque’ method. This is where the investors purchase the football club with a little cheque. They don’t invest much in the team but they do improve the stadium facilities, the corporate structure etc and use their expertise to streamline the club and get it in a much better financial shape. Having done all this and made the club more attractive, they then sit back and wait for another bid for the club further down the line. They then sell and receive their big cheque.

This is what is currently happening at Leeds, where the SF49ers have also recently taken control. A bit different at Leeds (as opposed to in Scotland) as the riches of the English Premier League await if, as expected, Leeds get promoted either this season or in the very near future. The 49ers may choose to sell, once Leeds get to the promised land and, therefore, get their big cheque or indeed stay in control if they feel they can milk the club further.

Not all takeovers follow the little cheque, big cheque method. They’re all different and some investors are in it for the long haul, although others will always sell after ploughing in considerable millions if the price is right.

There was talk, a while back on here, of two approaches made to BRFC by supposed interested parties (unaware if they were from the US) but they probably never got past the phone call stage, as Venky’s refused to take matters forward. 

The relevance of all this, to us, is that it dispels the myth that there would be no one waiting in the wings to take us over. The myth that 98% of our support trot out if ever the discussion arises. 

We are an attractive proposition. Other than a thorough cleansing, we have a decent sized, attractive, relatively modern stadium, a Category One status academy and a part dormant support that would return both if we again got to the PL and/or Venky’s got shunted into oblivion.

How nice would it be to also shunt Waggott, Suhail & Co into oblivion, to be replaced with a competent, forward thinking board and start to grow the club again. No wonder the above approaches never got past the telephone stage.

I’m not too good at doing links but the podcast mentioned above is on YouTube, the account on that platform is The Celtic Exchange and, if you scroll down/across, it’s about the 8th one down with ‘Transatlantic Takeovers’ in the title.
 

 

 

There are US investors keen to buy the club.

They did Due diligence on the club but not heard anything in months, so assuming Venkys didn't even respond to interest.

[Upside Down]

There has to be a seller first.

However Americans do have a history of illegally invading and taking what doesn't belong to them so there's a slight glimmer of hope there I suppose.

[simongarnerisgod]

2 minutes ago, Upside Down said:

There has to be a seller first.

However Americans do have a history of illegally invading and taking what doesn't belong to them so there's a slight glimmer of hope there I suppose.

george bush jnr to invade ewood park😆

[Herbie6590]

15 minutes ago, Upside Down said:

There has to be a seller first.

However Americans do have a history of illegally invading and taking what doesn't belong to them so there's a slight glimmer of hope there I suppose.

Rename the club temporarily to Canada Fentanyl FC? 

[Upside Down]

49 minutes ago, Herbie6590 said:

Rename the club temporarily to Canada Fentanyl FC? 

Change the badge to a hammer and sickal against the background of a Palestinian flag

Edited Wednesday at 20:46 by Upside Down

[jim mk2]

Burnley's US connection

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cdjym33j4mdo

[scotchrover]

2 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

Burnley's US connection

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cdjym33j4mdo

There’s a lot to be said how they’re run though. The owners mortgaged Turd to buy the club. They recently took a £40 million loan out too. They’re banking everything on going back up. 

[Upside Down]

2 minutes ago, scotchrover said:

There’s a lot to be said how they’re run though. The owners mortgaged Turd to buy the club. They recently took a £40 million loan out too. They’re banking everything on going back up. 

Hopefully it will all go tits up.

[...]

3 hours ago, Upside Down said:

There has to be a seller first.

However Americans do have a history of illegally invading and taking what doesn't belong to them so there's a slight glimmer of hope there I suppose.

Aye but they normally have help. . And we're there first 🤣

[bluebruce]

I don't think the described model of little cheque big cheque, with no real investment in the squad, would be too successful here. Obviously you'd imagine any owner would be a step up at the moment, but what we need is also investment to improve the squad and get out of this league. Then you can get your much bigger cheque.

[Exiled_Rover]

20 hours ago, Roverthechimp said:

US Investors - Could a takeover happen at Ewood?

In theory - yes

In practice - no

Why not? That is the (approximately) 233 000 000 dollar question 🤔🤯

They're never getting their money back (if it even is their money).

[Exiled_Rover]

16 hours ago, scotchrover said:

There’s a lot to be said how they’re run though. The owners mortgaged Turd to buy the club. They recently took a £40 million loan out too. They’re banking everything on going back up. 

Their owners aren't actually that wealthy - they're certainly not billionaires. They've done the whole thing on finance. 

[sharpysharps86]

The title of this thread:

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

The Pune loons appear to want to keep us pinned to the Ground with their Hands firmly around the Club's Neck.

We cant Breathe,we cant move forward..the frustration is off the Scale.

[Roverthechimp]

1 hour ago, Exiled_Rover said:

They're never getting their money back (if it even is their money).

Agree entirely - question why they don't either cut their losses or at least not pull the rug out everytime we are even close to the top 6...

[superniko]

21 hours ago, RoversClitheroe said:

There are US investors keen to buy the club.

They did Due diligence on the club but not heard anything in months, so assuming Venkys didn't even respond to interest.

Any idea on who the US crowd were? 

If any details on this could sneak into the public sector, it may even persuade the happy clappers to start protesting for Venkys to sell.

[SuperBrfc]

On 19/03/2025 at 16:36, Claytons Left Boot said:

I watched a very interesting podcast on YouTube a few weeks ago regarding the increasing number of football clubs, in the UK and beyond, being taken over by investors from the United States.

You’ll have to forgive the Celtic slant on this as, in the main, it’s a discussion between Tino of The Celtic Exchange and his guest David Low and their thoughts on the possible takeover at Rangers by the San Francisco 49ers. 

The discussion has a much wider relevance, however, because David Low outlines some of the reasons for these takeovers and just what happens once the investors take control. 

David Low for many years has worked in the finance industry. In the early 1990s he was an investment analyst and was instrumental in being a member of the ‘rebels’ who ousted the old board at Celtic, paving the way for Fergus McCann to takeover and drag Celtic kicking and screaming into the late 20th century.

In the podcast, he outlines the fact that there are numerous billionaires in the US who are looking to invest in sporting institutions, whether they be football clubs, baseball clubs, ice hockey, American football and so on. Far more billionaires than available clubs over there and that’s why they have been turning their attention to the UK and elsewhere.

If the takeover at Rangers were to go ahead, he thinks it will follow what he calls the ‘little cheque, big cheque’ method. This is where the investors purchase the football club with a little cheque. They don’t invest much in the team but they do improve the stadium facilities, the corporate structure etc and use their expertise to streamline the club and get it in a much better financial shape. Having done all this and made the club more attractive, they then sit back and wait for another bid for the club further down the line. They then sell and receive their big cheque.

This is what is currently happening at Leeds, where the SF49ers have also recently taken control. A bit different at Leeds (as opposed to in Scotland) as the riches of the English Premier League await if, as expected, Leeds get promoted either this season or in the very near future. The 49ers may choose to sell, once Leeds get to the promised land and, therefore, get their big cheque or indeed stay in control if they feel they can milk the club further.

Not all takeovers follow the little cheque, big cheque method. They’re all different and some investors are in it for the long haul, although others will always sell after ploughing in considerable millions if the price is right.

There was talk, a while back on here, of two approaches made to BRFC by supposed interested parties (unaware if they were from the US) but they probably never got past the phone call stage, as Venky’s refused to take matters forward. 

The relevance of all this, to us, is that it dispels the myth that there would be no one waiting in the wings to take us over. The myth that 98% of our support trot out if ever the discussion arises. 

We are an attractive proposition. Other than a thorough cleansing, we have a decent sized, attractive, relatively modern stadium, a Category One status academy and a part dormant support that would return both if we again got to the PL and/or Venky’s got shunted into oblivion.

How nice would it be to also shunt Waggott, Suhail & Co into oblivion, to be replaced with a competent, forward thinking board and start to grow the club again. No wonder the above approaches never got past the telephone stage.

I’m not too good at doing links but the podcast mentioned above is on YouTube, the account on that platform is The Celtic Exchange and, if you scroll down/across, it’s about the 8th one down with ‘Transatlantic Takeovers’ in the title.
 

 

 

It was either on this forum or elsewhere that I saw it...but a poster with contacts close to the club shared that four consortiums have tried to make an offer to buy Rovers within the last 18 months. Two of those are American consortiums, one from the Middle East and one UK based. All have been turned away. Somebody on the EFL 72 podcast revealed that he knows somebody who tried to make an enquiry to buy Rovers two months ago but was turned down.

If those two pieces of info above are to be believed, that's FIVE different parties that want to buy the club. "But who else will buy us?". Said by people who, IMO, have a low opinion of the club and who apply our (generally speaking) working class lives, outlooks and normal daily business rules to the world of football. £20m is astronomical to most 'normal' people, but those seriously looking at buying football clubs are in a different world financially. Look at this lot in Pune not blinking at putting in that much for a decade plus, until the Court in India started asking questions. These aren't the last wealthy people on the planet. Everybody else around us and in the Leagues below can find new owners, yet Rovers, with more pedigree than many, can't find better than this? Give over. Those are the words of the defeated and the lost. When we have new owners, these same people will be rejoicing and saying "I always knew Venky's had to go". Right now, they are playing the safety game and trying be the 'wise' fan. "I dislike Venky's but...". Jonty, being one of many of that school of thought.

In any case, new owners wouldn't be intent on covering £20m per season for long. They will have a plan to bring that figure down and then a plan to best eliminate those losses and turn the whole thing on its head. Something that terrifies this hierarchy. Promotion to the Premier League. Just because these tossers have tried to find a comfort zone in this Division, in order to avoid the spotlight and expectation in the League above, it does not mean other owners will behave in the same way and that this is now 'our level'.

There was a podcast recently where one of these 'experts' was saying that the Americans want to have a heavy presence in the Premier League in regards club ownership. The American guy Foley, as an example, has gone into Bournemouth and done an excellent job so far. We are, technically, one step away from the Prem and with our history in that League, I can see us being appealing to potential American investors. Getting these bastards out is the issue though. Them leaving Rovers will be like poison leaving the body. We will be back as a club under new owners. It's just, that change needs to happen ASAP, for all of us. This bullshit has gone on for long enough.