FSG to FINALLY deliver on key Michael Edwards promise after almost two years | OneFootball

Are FSG raising funds for the purchase of a second football club?

On Friday it was confirmed that FSG will sell their controlling interest in the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins for a record $1.7 billion, retaining a temporary minority interest.

The sale marks the first time the American investment group have sold one of their major sports teams and supporters will naturally be curious as to what FSG plan to do with the revenue.

FSG paid just $900 million for the Penguins back in 2021, meaning they have almost doubled their money in less than five years, and it’s plausible to think that the funds raised in the sale could be used to purchase a controlling stake in a new football team, fulfilling the promise made to Michael Edwards in 2024.

There is no guarantee that this is what the funds will be used for, but having an extra $1.7 billion in the bank won’t hurt the group’s chances of finally acquiring a second football club.

What kind of teams could FSG buy?

Forbes value Liverpool at $5.4 billion (~£4.2B), but there are few clubs on the same level as the Reds in world football.

The most recent sale of a Premier League team saw the Friedkin Group acquire a 99.5% stake of Everton for a fee in excess of £400 million (~$500m).

Juventus are estimated to be the most valuable club in Italy by Forbes, with a valuation of $2.15 billion (~£1.61m) and both AC Milan and Inter Milan are valued at $1.5 billion or less.

That gives you an idea for the kind of club FSG could now go in for, rather than a second-tier side, they could now push to acquire a controlling interest at a top club in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Again, there is no guarantee that all of this money goes towards another football club for FSG’s portfolio, but the opportunity is there for the group to build a truly formidable global football network.