Everton's American owners open door to selling Premier League club
The Friedkin Group, the American owners of Everton, said Friday it is exploring new investment for the Premier League club, including a possible sale of a controlling stake. The group bought Everton in December 2024 and saw the club into its new stadium. It says it will only deal with buyers it trusts to move the club forward.
Less than two years after buying Everton, its American owners may be ready to sell. The Friedkin Group, led by billionaire Dan Friedkin, said Friday it is "exploring new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling interest," BBC Sport reported.
The group completed its takeover in December 2024, buying Farhad Moshiri's 94% stake and ending a long search for new owners during a period of financial trouble, the Mirror reported. That deal was believed to be worth more than 400 million pounds, according to the BBC.
In its statement, the group said the club "faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch" when it took over. It said its first priority had been stability, investment and finishing the long-promised new stadium, which opened last year. "With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton," the statement said.
The owners set a condition. They said they will "only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward," Sky Sports reported. They also said they will keep supporting the club during the process and will not comment further while the work goes on.
The news follows a frustrating summer for many fans. Everton brought Jack Grealish back on loan for a second season but did not land a striker after Beto left for Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye joined Manchester City, the Mirror reported. Manager David Moyes said earlier this year that he rarely spoke directly with Dan Friedkin.
The Friedkin Group also owns Roma in Italy's Serie A and the French club AS Cannes, and it is launching an NHL team in Houston.
Running Everton will stay expensive for whoever owns it. A finance analyst, Paul Quinn, estimated this week that the club will need about 450 million pounds of new owner money over the next five seasons, according to a report on Yahoo Sports. He valued Everton at around 360 million pounds.
What we know: The owners are open to selling a controlling stake but only to buyers they approve.
What we don't: Who might bid, and at what price.
Where outlets agree BBC Sport, Sky Sports and the Mirror all report that the Friedkin Group is exploring options including the potential sale of a controlling interest in Everton.
Where they differ The Mirror says Everton have been put up for sale, while BBC Sport says the owners are only considering a sale as one of several investment options.