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Liverpool's owner, Fenway Sports Group, is reportedly in discussions regarding the potential sale of the National Hockey League franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Should the deal materialize, it could yield a substantial return on their investment.
The Boston-based FSG assumed control of Liverpool following its takeover in 2010. Since then, FSG's systematic approach has seen a resurgence of success at Anfield, with two Premier League titles, a Champions League victory, an expansion of the stadium to accommodate 61,276 spectators, and the club's relocation to a cutting-edge training facility. Not to mention the huge investments it made in the transfer market this summer, enabling Arne Slot and Richard Hughes to enhance last season's title-winning squad.
This expenditure, around $600 million, set a new record for the highest amount spent by a single club in one window, including two separate British-record transfers for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
The Reds are just one of many sporting interests and investments for principal owner John W. Henry, which, as of 2021, also encompassed the Pittsburgh Penguins.
FSG purchased the ice hockey team for a reported $900 million four years ago. However, this venture hasn't proven particularly fruitful for Henry and FSG, both from a sporting and financial perspective.
Despite being five-time Stanley Cup winners, the Penguins have missed out on the NHL play-offs for three consecutive seasons. This comes at a time when attendance figures are dwindling, according to The Athletic, and teams typically generate nearly half of their revenue from ticket sales.
However, this is not a reflection on Liverpool's owner. Ice hockey is currently undergoing a significant overhaul, with plans to introduce two new teams to expand the league in the next few years.
This expansion is expected to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the NHL, significantly boosting the value of all teams within the league.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggests that FSG could potentially rake in around $1.75 billion if the group is to sell the Penguins, almost doubling its investment in just four years.
It's rumored that Henry is contemplating this possibility, with potential buyers already being considered.
The Athletic reported last month that the Hoffmann Family - a Chicago-based group that owns the minor professional hockey team Florida Everblades - is a potential contender. While discussions are reportedly ongoing, FSG continues to "operate as usual."
A more recent report from The Athletic suggests that a group including former owner Mario Lemieux, who sold to FSG, along with Ron Burkle and David Morehouse, is "still intrigued" by the prospect of reclaiming the Penguins.
Ultimately, the group's ability to pull off such a deal has been called into question as the asking price is believed to be far beyond its capabilities.
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