Liverpool Owners FSG Reject Sale Talks Amid Musk Family Comments | OneFootball

Liverpool, Elon Musk, and the Rumour Mill: What’s the Real Story?

Liverpool Football Club is no stranger to takeover rumours. From Middle Eastern consortiums to American billionaires, the club’s stature in world football makes it a prime target for speculation. The latest headline-grabbing story, however, links the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, with a potential interest in purchasing the club. But how much truth is there to this speculation? Sky Sports, who reported on this story, suggest it’s more of a passing remark than a serious consideration.

Family Ties and the Liverpool Connection

Errol Musk, Elon Musk’s father, made some intriguing comments in an interview with Times Radio. He was asked if his son would consider buying Liverpool. His response?

“I can’t comment on that. They’ll raise the price.”

Pressed further, Errol Musk confirmed:

“Oh, yes. But that doesn’t mean he’s buying it. He would like to, yes, obviously. Anybody would want to — so would I.”

While these remarks have fuelled excitement, they hardly constitute a formal bid. Interestingly, Errol Musk also shed light on a family connection to Liverpool.

Photo: IMAGO

“His grandmother was born in Liverpool, and we have relatives in Liverpool. We were fortunate to know quite a lot of The Beatles because they grew up with some of my family. So, we are attached to Liverpool, you know.”

This familial link certainly adds an emotional angle to the story. But let’s not forget that sentiment rarely drives billion-pound business decisions.

FSG’s Stance: Not for Sale

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have owned Liverpool since 2010, when they purchased the club for £300 million. Over the years, there have been whispers of outside investment, but a complete sale has never materialised. Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol put it plainly:

“Liverpool are not for sale. The owners have not received any offers or approaches from anyone, including Elon Musk or any members of his family.”

FSG have reiterated their long-term commitment to the club. In February 2023, principal owner John Henry moved to quash speculation about a sale, stating:

“Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? Have we sold anything in the past 20+ years?”

Later that year, FSG sold a minority stake to US investment firm Dynasty Equity. At the time, FSG president Mike Gordon reassured fans of the group’s dedication to Liverpool’s future.

“FSG’s long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever.”

Valuation and Financial Realities

According to Forbes, Liverpool is the fourth most valuable football club in the world, with an estimated worth of £4.3 billion. However, that’s a mere fraction of Elon Musk’s reported net worth of £340 billion. Financially, the prospect of Musk buying Liverpool is entirely feasible. But feasibility doesn’t necessarily translate into desire.

It’s worth noting that Musk’s portfolio of ventures includes Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). Adding a football club to that list would be quite the departure from his usual business endeavours.

Would Liverpool Fans Accept Musk as an Owner?

Even if Elon Musk did decide to pursue a Liverpool takeover, there would be significant hurdles. Passing the Premier League’s owners and directors test would likely be straightforward given his wealth and business credentials. However, the bigger challenge would be winning over Liverpool fans.

Liverpool is a club deeply rooted in its community, with a strong emphasis on social justice, equality, and diversity. As Solhekol pointed out:

“The problem he would have is with Liverpool supporters because everybody knows they are a club rooted in the community. They have supporters who believe in social justice, equality, and diversity. I’m not sure if those fans would accept someone like Elon Musk as the owner of their club.”

The fanbase’s scepticism towards billionaire owners isn’t new. Liverpool supporters have previously voiced concerns over the commercialisation of the club. Would they embrace a tech mogul known for his controversial statements and unpredictable behaviour?

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From an Anfield Index perspective, the prospect of Elon Musk buying Liverpool evokes a range of emotions among the fanbase. There’s excitement about the financial clout he could bring, but also concern about what it might mean for the club’s ethos.

On the one hand, Musk’s immense wealth could potentially transform Liverpool into an even bigger global powerhouse. Imagine the possibilities: state-of-the-art facilities, marquee signings, and innovation both on and off the pitch. However, football is about more than just money. It’s about tradition, community, and values.

Liverpool fans take pride in their club’s identity. They wouldn’t want to see it become just another billionaire’s plaything. Musk’s controversial reputation, combined with his tendency to make radical decisions, could create instability at a club that values continuity and careful planning.

Ultimately, while the idea of Elon Musk owning Liverpool makes for an intriguing headline, it’s unlikely to become reality anytime soon. And perhaps that’s for the best. Liverpool’s success has always been built on its connection to its supporters and its values. That’s something money can’t buy.