Journalist: FSG aims to own several clubs with Bordeaux move

Liverpool FC’s owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is reportedly exploring a takeover opportunity for French club Girondins de Bordeaux. This news, first reported by L’Equipe and picked up by DAVEOCKOP, has attracted considerable attention. The move signals FSG’s serious intentions towards multi-club ownership, a model already pursued by Manchester City and Chelsea.

Bordeaux is in a precarious financial situation and needs €42 million to reverse the DNCG’s decision and finance a full season of Ligue 2. The club’s financial problems have led to its relegation from Ligue 1 and a possible drop to National 1, the third tier of French football. FSG’s potential involvement could be a lifeline for the six-time French champions.

FSG’s involvement with Bordeaux is unprecedented, despite the fact that it has not yet completed a full takeover. According to L’Equipe, FSG is already influencing key decisions at the club, including the potential contract extension of defender Vital Nsimba and the potential departure of goalkeeper Gaëtan Weissbeck. This influence suggests that FSG is very committed to getting Bordeaux back on its feet.

Financial support from FSG could be crucial to reversing Bordeaux’s relegation decision. “Following a meeting between the club, FSG and the DNCG (French football’s financial regulator), it was reported that if the takeover could be completed within two weeks, the club’s provisional relegation could be contested and Bordeaux would remain in Ligue 2 for the 2024/25 season,” explained DAVEOCKOP. This underlines the urgency and potential impact of FSG’s involvement.

FSG’s interest in Bordeaux is part of a wider strategy to expand their portfolio in football. They are also exploring opportunities in the South American market. The multi-club ownership model allows for resource sharing, talent development and strategic synergies between clubs. FSG’s track record with Liverpool and their sports properties in the US, including the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins, suggests they have the expertise to manage and grow their investments in football.

The potential takeover of FSG could mark a new era for Bordeaux. Once a regular in Ligue 1 and occasional participant in the UEFA Champions League, the club has suffered a sharp decline due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. FSG’s involvement could provide the stability and investment needed to bring Bordeaux back to the top flight of French football.

Bordeaux fans will no doubt be following these developments closely. The promise of financial stability and a return to former glory is a tantalising prospect. With FSG getting ever closer to completing the takeover, the footballing world will be keen to see how this venture unfolds and what it means for the future of multi-club ownership in football.

The potential acquisition of Bordeaux by Fenway Sports Group is a significant development in the football world. It reflects the growing trend of multi-club ownership and underlines FSG’s ambition to expand its influence in global football. The immediate impact on Bordeaux’s financial stability and league status will be closely monitored. This strategic move could be groundbreaking for both Bordeaux and FSG, ushering in a new chapter in their respective developments.