Liverpool and FSG are at a delicate point in their relationship. Clearly, expectations are sky-high as the owners try to navigate a pivotal summer of rebuilding, with another season outside of the Champions League places not palatable.
With three weeks to go until the transfer window closes, and on the brink of the new Premier League season, things could very much go either way. While Liverpool has made two shrewd midfield additions in the form of deals for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, those have been accompanied by a raft of departures.
In particular, the sale of Fabinho has left a gaping hole in defensive midfield. And while there is a sense that Liverpool will ultimately fill that gap before the transfer deadline, there is a chance for FSG to go above and beyond the bare minimum, investing further in midfield and defense to ensure Jürgen Klopp has the depth to genuinely compete.
Goings-on at other FSG franchises do not always paint the most hopeful picture for Liverpool, with the Boston Red Sox currently in what has been described as a ‘post-deadline drop-off’ as it chases down a playoff spot without significant reinforcements to the roster. But there has been great success for John Henry’s NASCAR team recently.
We’ve got you covered as you try to keep up with all things FSG.
FSG wants new team
FSG remains in ‘growth mode’, according to its CFO Julie Swinehart. Speaking to Bloomberg, she confirmed that adding a new team to the stable is firmly on the agenda.
Swinehart referenced managing the FSG finances “so that we can go and seek out that new team, in an existing league, or perhaps dive into a new venture in a new type of sport.”
FSG has recently become a founding team owner in TGL, a new virtual golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, but it seems the plans may not stop there. The Liverpool owners currently also boast the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and a share in RFK Racing on the ownership roster.
Liverpool.com says: As long as FSG retains a stable of truly competitive teams, Liverpool will not mind how many more franchises are on the owners’ books. But Henry and co. must be wary of spreading themselves too thinly.
That being said, cross-sport interests can sometimes help all of the teams involved. That was apparent last season when FSG minority owner and basketball legend LeBron James collaborated with Liverpool, to great commercial success.
Liverpool investment update
It’s been a fruitful summer for interviews from typically quiet FSG executives. Recently, The Athletic secured a conversation with Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan.
Naturally, the search for investment was on the agenda. Liverpool was briefly ‘up for sale’ last season, but that quickly became a hunt for new investors, and all has been quiet on that front for some time.
Hogan remained somewhat tight-lipped — although he was much less reticent on a range of other topics, from Taylor Swift coming to Anfield to the stadium redevelopment project. Speaking about the investment, he provided a three-word update: “Those conversations continue.”
Liverpool.com says: These behind-the-scenes discussions are always likely to be private up to a point, with interest typically only becoming public knowledge at a pretty advanced stage. But there are some questions as to why no viable suitor has emerged yet.
Certainly, it’s a major contrast to the Manchester United takeover trajectory. That’s no bad thing, with the whole issue descending into farce at Old Trafford. But it would be reassuring to have a more concrete update on the investment front soon, as it becomes harder and harder for Liverpool to remain truly competitive.
Double NASCAR victory
Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing tends to be the one that gets overlooked when combing through FSG assets. But the part-owned NASCAR team deserves a share of the spotlight this week, having engineered back-to-back race wins.
Both were claimed by Chris Buescher, who is now guaranteed a spot in the 16-driver playoff. In a fascinating setup, his fellow driver Brad Keselowski is also a co-owner of the team — and he was also in the mix for both races, earning sixth and fourth-placed finishes that keep him in playoff contention.
Liverpool.com says: With Liverpool still looking for investment, perhaps FSG’s NASCAR team should get more attention. After all, it is the big example of a franchise where Henry is joined by other major partners, and it is starting to enjoy some real success.
It’s also interesting to note the partnership with Keselowski. While it could just be coincidence, that’s two veteran sportspeople FSG works with, factoring in LeBron James as well. Maybe a Liverpool star could one day be welcomed into the boardroom?
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
