New England Sports Ventures buys Liverpool (or My Team As A Soap Opera)
by Steve
So, after a week of confusing, infuriating and frankly depressing High Court manoeuvres, New England Sports Ventures have finally bought Liverpool Football Club.
The previous owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, did their utmost to scupper the deal, and ensured that their names will live on in infamy on Merseyside. They are now, in Dr Evil style, suggesting they want $1.6 billion in compensation.
But, in the meantime, there is relief that the club is in a much stronger financial position, and has avoided the administration that Hicks and Gillett very nearly plunged it into.
It has been a sad week. Football, or any sport, should be about competition, athletic excellence, rivalry and fun. It shouldn’t be about court cases, or businessman trying to leech money from loyal and dedicated supporters, via a club that is an integral part of its community. This week has resembled little more than a horrid, impenetrable soap opera. This isn’t what sport should be about.
Liverpool appear to be lucky. They are unlikely to be the last club who has to go through such battles. Many clubs are badly managed, or subject to leveraged buyouts. Many more clubs may sink into administration. It surely is only a matter of time before a big-name club goes under. Already, many smaller ones have. As a say, for all the drama, the Reds have been fortunate.
What is the answer to this situation in football? I’m afraid I don’t know. If an entrepeneur has enough money, enough clout, or good enough lawyers, they will probably get around most measures authorities put in place.
Maybe clubs and their supporters should be less naive. Fairy godmothers don’t exist. Stability is a prerequisite of success. Throwing money around is a risky option, and offers no guarantees.
I’ll reserve judgement on New England Sports Ventures. Their previous track record is good. Looking at their achievements with the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, I’m encouraged, yet can they transfer these skills to another sport?
They will certainly face intense scrutiny. They might speak the right language, of listening, of collaboration with fans, of long-term investment, but it will be their actions that count. The team needs fresh blood. The stadium needs expanding, at the very least, or a new stadium needs to be started very soon.
There is a long way to go yet.
Meanwhile, this weekend sees the Merseyside derby. What a shame that a marquee fixture has been overshadowed. Let’s see the comeback start on the pitch. The uncertainty surrounding the club is over. For now.
Wait until next year 
The relief at finally being severed from the grasping hands of Hicks and Gillette might cloud many to the fact that here is yet another outside owner whose heart can surely never be with the club in the way it is for the supporters. However, their track record does bode well and perhaps we can now focus on matters on the fielkd rather than having to learn far too much about business law.
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As an Arsenal fan, even I’m glad to see the back of H&G, although I do understand their desire to do everything they could to avoid losing £140m this week.
Whether NESV are going to be good for Liverpool really depends on how realistic fans’ expectations are. Will they provide a stable platform for building future success? Probably (although, as with the Red Sox, I wouldn’t bank on a new stadium). Are they going to spend stupid amounts of money to get quick results? No.
I remember H&G being initially welcomed like they were the second coming of Roman Abramovich by the naive masses. If nothing else, this sorry affair should at least teach fans of Liverpool (and other clubs) to be careful what you wish for. But too many fans have short memories, and I doubt it will be long before some start to complain about not enough money being poured into the squad.
In the meantime, it will be a blessed relief to get back to football. Good job you’ve got a nice, quiet game this weekend, eh? 😉
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Wise words, Tim. The lowering of expectations might be a good thing for Liverpool and hopefully few of us are seeing my Henry as a messianic figure. But he does have a decent sports portfolio and a love of winning things so fingers crossed it transfers into recovery and maybe the odd pot or two for the club. As for whether he goes for new stadium of the refurbishment of Anfield, I’d sort of prefer the latter but can’t really see how it’s feasible given the close proximity of housing on several sides of the existing stadium.
Oh and for what it’s worth, I am so envious of the style of football Arsenal play.
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Just think of what Hicks did to the Rangers and what Henry et al. did for the Red Sox.
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