Motherwell about to get investment as well?

[matty_f]

https://x.com/motherwellfc/status/1775508568717803671?s=46&t=9ECFsSDsGgie80A2m3HH1A

Looks like Motherwell are on the verge of investment from the US as well, i know the Well Trust are reluctant to give up ownership so it might be a similar minority investment as we received.

With Dundee formally tied up with Burnley, Dundee United apparently for sale and St Johnstone looking at American buyers, this could be an exciting time for Scottish football.

I do hope the Gordons and BK are minded to keep Hibs competitive in a landscape where other teams are going to be comfortable spending more than they do today.

[gbhibby]

US based family? Hope it doesn't start with a T and end with a P.

[CentreLine]

US based family? Hope it doesn't start with a T and end with a P.

That would be a rum deal. 😏

[gbhibby]

That would be a rum deal. 😏

He would only invest in Rangers seeing that he is an Orange Man😁

[CentreLine]

He would only invest in Rangers seeing that he is an Orange Man😁

And he’s an (out)lier 😉

[007]

https://x.com/motherwellfc/status/1775508568717803671?s=46&t=9ECFsSDsGgie80A2m3HH1A

Looks like Motherwell are on the verge of investment from the US as well, i know the Well Trust are reluctant to give up ownership so it might be a similar minority investment as we received.

With Dundee formally tied up with Burnley, Dundee United apparently for sale and St Johnstone looking at American buyers, this could be an exciting time for Scottish football.

I do hope the Gordons and BK are minded to keep Hibs competitive in a landscape where other teams are going to be comfortable spending more than they do today.

Billionaires too or are they just common or garden millionaires? 🤔

[Forza Fred]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

[matty_f]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I don’t think any of us really know what difference it will make, i think we all know we’re not going to be bankrolled to a ridiculous degree to the extent we’ll be knocking Celtic off their perch any time soon.

[Yorkshire HFC]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

I'm always cautious on these things, but I'd call it worrying rather than interesting

What's in it for the Americans? Why do they want to invest in Scottish football?

These people don't give money away - they invest in order to get a return. What return are they seeking?

When has this type of strategy worked in Scotland? Perhaps McCann at Celtic?

[DH1875]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

Marvin Bartley said on radio clyde last night that he was the one behind Emiliano coming to Hibs.

[Since452]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

Obviously on a far lower scale but same thing happened with Abramovic at Chelsea. They were all of a sudden blowing teams out the water financially and had success with it until the rest of the clubs got huge investment themselves and things just evened out again. We may get a head start on the other teams, we're still playing catch up with Hearts and Aberdeen, but if we prove a real success then other owners/ potential investors will see it's the way to go. What if we have half a dozen clubs with big investors in a few years? Things will just plateau again.

[Since452]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

Obviously on a far lower scale but same thing happened with Abramovich at Chelsea. They were all of a sudden blowing teams out the water financially and had success with it until the rest of the clubs got huge investment themselves and things just evened out again. We may get a head start on the other teams, we're still playing catch up with Hearts and Aberdeen, but if we prove a real success then other owners/ potential investors will see it's the way to go. What if we have half a dozen clubs with big investors in a few years? Things will just plateau again.

[SHODAN]

You can absolutely guarantee that Hearts would drop their lovely amazing trailblazing revolutionary fan ownership thing if it meant they could financially outspend Hibs again. They're probably working day and night trying to get that investment right now.

[CockneyRebel]

And he’s an (out)lier 😉


He is actually an out and out liar!

[ancient hibee]

You can absolutely guarantee that Hearts would drop their lovely amazing trailblazing revolutionary fan ownership thing if it meant they could financially outspend Hibs again. They're probably working day and night trying to get that investment right now.
They already get £6 million plus a year extra now.Why would they throw that away.?

[Centre Hawf]

I do think that a lot of people will probably be disappointed at our business when the summer window shuts, not because it will actually be bad but I think some people have built up a scenario in their heads that Hibs will be awash with cash and will be signing 4/5 players on the calibre of Maolida and Marcondes (either in talent or pedigree) across all areas of the park.

It was probably important to get the deal done with BK just to stay ahead of the rest of the pack a little bit in the coming years.

[Saint Hibee]

Marvin Bartley said on radio clyde last night that he was the one behind Emiliano coming to Hibs.

I'm lost - what's Marvin Bartley got to do with anything?

[JohnM1875]

I'm lost - what's Marvin Bartley got to do with anything?

Used to play for Bournemouth. Over a decade ago now mind you.

[Rumble de Thump]

It was made clrear from the start that our deal with Black Knight wasn't going to be about just getting a direct cash injection. We've got increased access to a variety of superior resources now, inlcuding players that we otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.

did the Galacticos have the success that the investment would suggest - or post Fergie Man United?
Investment is part of it but not the whole story.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Obviously on a far lower scale but same thing happened with Abramovich at Chelsea. They were all of a sudden blowing teams out the water financially and had success with it until the rest of the clubs got huge investment themselves and things just evened out again. We may get a head start on the other teams, we're still playing catch up with Hearts and Aberdeen, but if we prove a real success then other owners/ potential investors will see it's the way to go. What if we have half a dozen clubs with big investors in a few years? Things will just plateau again.

yes as we see competition don’t just stand still. The biggest thing you can do to disrupt is mess with the opposition. Take their talent be it players, managers or key coaches / development staff.

or disband the reserve league preventing a conveyer belt blooding young players.

we have seen it all. So no surprise if we get an edge others seek to even it out.

[Frogga]

I'm always cautious on these things, but I'd call it worrying rather than interesting

What's in it for the Americans? Why do they want to invest in Scottish football?

These people don't give money away - they invest in order to get a return. What return are they seeking?

When has this type of strategy worked in Scotland? Perhaps McCann at Celtic?

I've been wondering this too and never seen an answer to it.

I get it if Hibs can solidify 3rd place then our investors will see returns through European prize-money, but if foreign business-folk are investing more widely (pretty sure at least 6 or 7 teams in Scotland have either received or been connected with American investment) then where are the returns coming from then?

Do they know something we don't? Such as major league construction (eg. a European league)? In my opinion I think combined European leagues are probably inevitable for Scottish teams, at least in the mid to longer term.

[Keith_M]

It was made clrear from the start that our deal with Black Knight wasn't going to be about just getting a direct cash injection. We've got increased access to a variety of superior resources now, inlcuding players that we otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.


Did anybody else read that and think of Hyacinth Bucket?

:greengrin

[PHeffernan]

You can absolutely guarantee that Hearts would drop their lovely amazing trailblazing revolutionary fan ownership thing if it meant they could financially outspend Hibs again. They're probably working day and night trying to get that investment right now.

Hibs are getting a one of payment of 6 million pounds from Bill Foley and his group.
EVERY season Hearts get 4 million quid gratis from their benefactor Anderson, 1.5 million quid gratis from their supporters group and sell 15,500 season tickets.
Next season they will also score another 3.5 million quid from group stage European football.

By any metric we are well behind them financially so no need for them to go chasing investment to outspend us at this time.
Hopefully benefactor Anderson will exit stage left sooner rather than later.

[superfurryhibby]

I'm always cautious on these things, but I'd call it worrying rather than interesting

What's in it for the Americans? Why do they want to invest in Scottish football?

These people don't give money away - they invest in order to get a return. What return are they seeking?

When has this type of strategy worked in Scotland? Perhaps McCann at Celtic?

It's a question that I asked myself too and despite all the discussion on here, I'm not aware of a decent answer to it.

In the case of Hibs, the Gordon's bought a club for a bargain price and it would seem the overall value of Hibs has increased substantially. However, we are still miles behind our city rivals for the third place in football and financial terms (at the moment donations give them a 5 million plus head start every season).

You could argue a case for Hibs having much higher potential than the likes of Motherwell, in terms of size of support, but without huge investment what will really change?

As for Motherwell, I just don't understand why at all.

[we are hibs]

Hibs are getting a one of payment of 6 million pounds from Bill Foley and his group.
EVERY season Hearts get 4 million quid gratis from their benefactor Anderson, 1.5 million quid gratis from their supporters group and sell 15,500 season tickets.
Next season they will also score another 3.5 million quid from group stage European football.

By any metric we are well behind them financially so no need for them to go chasing investment to outspend us at this time.
Hopefully benefactor Anderson will exit stage left sooner rather than later.



You've absolutely no idea if the 6 million is a one off payment.

[superfurryhibby]

You've absolutely no idea if the 6 million is a one off payment.

Neither do you? However, the extent of the investment was subject to SFA scrutiny and as far as I understand, as it stands the Foley group won't be buying more shares.

[matty_f]

Neither do you? However, the extent of the investment was subject to SFA scrutiny and as far as I understand, as it stands the Foley group won't be buying more shares.

It was made clear that future investment has already been agreed when Kensell was taking questions on it at the AGM when it was approved.

Black Knight FC have scope to buy more shares and they will be doing so, they’re in at c25% after this initial investment, and have authorisation to go up to 29.9%.

That’s straight from the club, so we can say that it’s not a one off cash injection and that more shares will be bought.

I have been told informally that the Gordon family are happy to match donations from BKFC as well.

[superfurryhibby]

It was made clear that future investment has already been agreed when Kensell was taking questions on it at the AGM when it was approved.

Black Knight FC have scope to buy more shares and they will be doing so, they’re in at c25% after this initial investment, and have authorisation to go up to 29.9%.

That’s straight from the club, so we can say that it’s not a one off cash injection and that more shares will be bought.

I have been told informally that the Gordon family are happy to match donations from BKFC as well.

Ok, so another 4.5% investment is possible. That will amount to c £900,000. Hardly game changing (why didn't they just go the full 29.5% ? ).

In terms of the Gordon's matching donations, what does that mean?

As you were an unwavering supporter of the Foley investment, what are you anticipating at Hibs and what do you think of the broader trend for American investment in other clubs in Scotland?

[nonshinyfinish]

Ok, so another 4.5% investment is possible. That will amount to c £900,000. Hardly game changing (why didn't they just go the full 29.5% ? ).

In terms of the Gordon's matching donations, what does that mean?

The Gordons matching investments is a possible solution to your first question – if the Gordons put money in at the same time and increase their own shareholding, then BK can invest more without going over 29%.

[Just Alf]

The Gordons matching investments is a possible solution to your first question – if the Gordons put money in at the same time and increase their own shareholding, then BK can invest more without going over 29%.I'm guessing that's why the club spoke to HSL about a possible future share issue, every penny extra that non BK shareholders can use to buy shares increases the amount BK can input to the club via buying shares.

I've restarted my HSL subscription.

[jacomo]

Call me a party pooper, but I have often lain awake at night wondering if the Black Knight involvement is really going to make THAT much of a difference long term.

Sure, we’ve got a couple of players just now temporarily that normally we couldn’t afford, but it remains to be seen what does transpire….and if ongoing substantial funding is provided AFTER the much talked about original £6m buy in.

Added to that obviously is the possibility for other clubs to do exactly what we are doing…..so the next couple of seasons will be interesting.


The black knights have correctly identified Hibs as having huge potential to grow. Whether they can realise that potential… time will tell.

Other clubs - such as Dundee and Aberdeen - have not yet resolved their stadium issues, which will consume a lot of energy, time and money from any investor, no matter how rich they are.

[matty_f]

Ok, so another 4.5% investment is possible. That will amount to c £900,000. Hardly game changing (why didn't they just go the full 29.5% ? ).

In terms of the Gordon's matching donations, what does that mean?

As you were an unwavering supporter of the Foley investment, what are you anticipating at Hibs and what do you think of the broader trend for American investment in other clubs in Scotland?
I wasn’t unwavering, i wanted to know the detail and had there been anything there to concern me then I’d have changed my opinion on it accordingly.

My expectations are that the club will put a lot of money (relatively speaking) into things like the FF which will pay for itself and more over time, which will increase the spend on the team.

I expect our facilities to improve that should benefit the quality of the training and hopefully knock on to improving the team.

I think we’ll see better players signed, not World Cup stars or superstars but players like Marcondes who maybe aren’t getting a game at Bournemouth or Lorient but who are better than we have here, where it suits all parties to get them playing, and some players on the way up who aren’t quite ready for the Premiership at Bournemouth.

I think extra money will get injected as well , European football is absolutely key to lifting the club long term to a higher level. Hearts have a bit of a jump on us on that respect so it’s the connection to the wider group that needs to be used to close that gap.

As for the broader investment, totally depends on what form it takes but i think it’s great for the game here, the more cash that comes into the game, the better. The status quo is brutal. Two teams - pretty much one team actually - wins everything and everyone else is an afterthought. Some disruption I’d welcome.

Edit: re the matching, i understand that to mean that it BK FC put in £1, the Gordons will do the same. It’s close to what happened with the initial investment where they took shares for £5m debt, while Foley bought slightly more shares for £6m.



It was also suggested at the AGM that money in from the BKFC doesn’t necessarily mean shares being sold, they are able to effectively donate money in the same way Anderson does at Hearts. I believe this would also be matched.

[04Sauzee]

A little more about the possible investment in Motherwell.

https://twitter.com/BBCSportScot/status/1778464414863151147?t=Z0qNbtnjpZ3ITh-FeaOQRw&s=19

[He's here!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68790801

Clearly feels he can do something quite significant there.

[JohnM1875]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68790801

Clearly feels he can do something quite significant there.

Anyone any idea how minted is he? That's the question everyone really wants to know

[Broken Gnome]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68790801

Clearly feels he can do something quite significant there.

I'll take Foley's vision any day over that - football barely gets a mention there, just 'sports media' gibberish around content and value.

[green day]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68790801

Clearly feels he can do something quite significant there.

Sounds like your standard American tech millionaire, looking for something to stop the boredom.

I stopped reading after the first couple of paragraphs, it was gibberish.

If Well can bag some cash from this guy with no negatives, then good on them.

He will have moved on to some other thing in a couple of years.

[He's here!]

Not related to the possible investment in the club, but I was thinking the other day I couldn't recall the last time Motherwell were relegated, and it turns out it was a long time ago...although I think they (like Aberdeen) were possibly spared the drop on a technicality when Falkirk didn't have a top flight-compliant stadium:

https://thecoldend.blogspot.com/2021/01/relegation-from-scottish-premier.html#:~:text=Dundee%20hold%20the%20record% 20of,haven't%20been%20back%20since.

Interesting to see that our 'big' neighbours lie second in the list when it comes to the number of times top-flight clubs have been relegated.

[matty_f]

I'll take Foley's vision any day over that - football barely gets a mention there, just 'sports media' gibberish around content and value.

I think there's potential there if they embrace the media aspect of it. Very easy to be cynical about these things but there's a massive market and appetite for things like fly on the wall documentaries that Scottish football miss a trick with.

[Broken Gnome]

I think there's potential there if they embrace the media aspect of it. Very easy to be cynical about these things but there's a massive market and appetite for things like fly on the wall documentaries that Scottish football miss a trick with.

Strikes me at this stage it would be so hit and miss - likely the latter more often than not - with our clubs. Those pushing it just have that air of tapping into that hype and buzz without any sign there is a good set of successful ideas behind it.

[Stevie Reid]

Ninth tier club in England getting £3.6M investment from crypto billionaires:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv27e9qn4qno

[007]

I think there's potential there if they embrace the media aspect of it. Very easy to be cynical about these things but there's a massive market and appetite for things like fly on the wall documentaries that Scottish football miss a trick with.

Like the Hearts one?
https://youtu.be/ccL2jQYDA-0?feature=shared

[CropleyWasGod]

Ninth tier club in England getting £3.6M investment from crypto billionaires:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv27e9qn4qno

Will they actually see the cash?



:cb

[BILLYHIBS]

So did Taylor Swift say no then ?

[snedzuk]

Suppose £750k landed in the player transfer account. Would you expect Stuart Kettlewell and his team to spend it more or less wisely than Nick Montgomery and his team.

[Stevie Reid]

Will they actually see the cash?



:cb

:greengrin

[Unseen work]

Suppose £750k landed in the player transfer account. Would you expect Stuart Kettlewell and his team to spend it more or less wisely than Nick Montgomery and his team.

In fairness Nick has recruited well so far with the players he’s brought to the club.

If the centre backs he brings in are of the same standard as the January signings then it’s a positive .

[cabbageandribs1875]

looking likely it will get voted down by their well society, i don't blame them

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy08exp197ro

Motherwell's majority shareholder, the Well Society, say prospective club investors the Barmack family's strategy document "has caused further concern".

US-based Erik and Courtney Barmack, under the banner of Wild Sheep Sports, said last week they believe they can "usher in a new era of prosperity" for the Fir Park outfit.
They aim to provide £1.95m over a six-year period, with the offer contingent on the Well Society contributing £1.35m over the same time.

The board of supporters' group the Well Society have previously stated their opposition (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cl44y1ldzrro) to the Barmacks' plan and a two-week voting period on the family's offer begins on Monday.

[ekhibee]

I am a bit less clued up than others on the subject of the Black Knight investment, if we're not spending it all on players or improving the 1st team where is the money actually going? More investment in infrastructure and an indoor pitch at East Mains?