EVERTON’S AMERICAN OWNERS EXPLORE SALE OF CONTROLLING STAKE

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Everton’s American owners, the Friedkin Group, are considering selling a controlling stake in the Premier League club less than two years after taking over.

The Texas-based group announced on Friday that it was exploring new investment opportunities for the Liverpool-based club, including the possibility of selling its controlling interest.

The Friedkin Group, which also owns Italian Serie A side AS Roma, reportedly paid £400 million ($529 million) in December 2024 to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in Everton.

Since taking over, the group has overseen the club’s move from Goodison Park to the new 53,000-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In a statement, Everton said the club had faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch when the Friedkin Group assumed control.

“With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton,” the statement said.

The club added that it would only consider offers from investors it believed could provide the right leadership and build on the progress made so far.

Everton, who have competed in England’s top flight continuously since 1954, finished 13th in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons under manager David Moyes, following several difficult campaigns.

However, the club’s ownership faced criticism over its summer transfer business. The late collapse of a deal to sign United States striker Folarin Balogun reportedly left Everton with only one recognised striker, Thierno Barry.

Questions have also been raised about the relationship between the club’s management and its owners. In September, Moyes said he had never met or spoken to Dan Friedkin, the group’s chief executive, who had yet to attend a home match.

Everton are among England’s most successful clubs, with nine top-flight league titles, placing them fifth on the all-time list behind Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, their last league title came in 1987, while their most recent major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup.