New Everton Owners: The Friedkin Group

[Connor]

Yeah it's a fluff piece obviously, but nothing you've said there says we shouldn't trust his reporting. It seems fairly obvious he's a client journalist for TFG to be honest, obviously you have to take things that get said by people like that with a pinch of salt, but it's not like he's just making stuff up is it, he's quite literally quoting a senior figure from the club.

He's got nothing in the bank when it comes to credibility. Never called a transfer right. In fact, he's been spectacularly wrong when it comes to breaking his own stories.

Just because he's got access to a club official doesn't mean we should start believing him.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I treat that blokes articles as client journo/fluff piece.

He obviously gets some information, but that comes at a cost. There's always a trade off.

 

[MikeyMike]

Americans clearly see value in the PL, but it would be interesting to know where they see the most potential for increased profit. The big difference between the NFL and the PL seems to be the salary cap, which I believe is less than 50% of revenue in the American game, leaving more potential profit for the owners than they can expect at Everton. A major income driver over there is TV rights, as it is here, and unless the overseas market can be leveraged even more, it's hard to see huge increases in the future. Renting out the stadium for events is a relatively small chunk of revenue in the US, and is dependent on major tours like the Taylor Swift one - but even then, she took most of the revenue, the stadium owners made their money on parking, concessions etc. So, I'm not sure Stadium use is going to make the Friedkins rich. There doesn't seem to be the same appetite for high-priced game by game tickets here as there is in the States, so I feel that ticket revenue is close to maxed out at the Hill Dickie.

The only avenue in which the English games beats the American game seems to be sponsorship. It's only around 10% of revenue in the NFL, but the top football clubs here and in Europe can pick up 40% of income from that route. Our neighbours get over half their revenue from "commercial activities". If that's the big one, then surely the only way our owners can hope to increase commercial revenue is via success on the pitch.

In which case, it's a win-win for us and the owners.

 

[Lanolin]

He's got nothing in the bank when it comes to credibility. Never called a transfer right. In fact, he's been spectacularly wrong when it comes to breaking his own stories.

Just because he's got access to a club official doesn't mean we should start believing him.

I assumed you were talking about not trusting the article you were actually commenting on obviously, that's why I pointed out - twice - that he was quoting people from the club in it. Breaking transfer stories is a totally different thing, the sources will be different, but it seems pretty obvious he's a favoured journalist where the owners are concerned. You can't 'trust' stuff like this but you can't trust it because it's vetted by the club, not because he's making it up.

 

[allen]

I assumed you were talking about not trusting the article you were actually commenting on obviously, that's why I pointed out - twice - that he was quoting people from the club in it. Breaking transfer stories is a totally different thing, the sources will be different, but it seems pretty obvious he's a favoured journalist where the owners are concerned. You can't 'trust' stuff like this but you can't trust it because it's vetted by the club, not because he's making it up.

Yeah, the substantive parts of that article - the quotes - are essentially a press release by the club.

I'm happy enough to read those quotes with the same perspective I read any interview on the official site.

 

[Lapeno77]

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/everton-friedkin-bold-transfer-plans-4244124

Inside Everton's Friedkin revolution - and their bold new transfer plans
The Toffees are close to agreeing record sponsorship deals with major recognised brands thanks to business savvy owners and a transformative new stadium

It is the behind-the-scenes battle that most Everton fans probably don’t know is taking place.

While David Moyes is targeting Europe in the first season of a new era, off the field the club is scrambling to secure a marquee sponsor to replace online casino Stake.

The rush follows new Premier League legislation banning gambling companies from front-of-shirt sponsorships, leaving about half of the top flight seeking new deals.

But the good news for Everton is that it coincides with an off-field revolution that they believe will fast-track their ambition to compete for trophies.

Thanks to the Friedkins’ commercial savvy and a transformative new stadium, the club is in advanced negotiations with major brands willing to pay record fees. A deal is understood to be close.


The Hill Dickinson Stadium, located at Bramley-Moore Dock, cost around £750m to build (Photo: Getty)
“You talk about the transformation of the football club, we’re seeing it with the brands that are taking conversations with us,” Everton’s chief partnerships officer Mark Rollings tells The i Paper.

“I believe we’ve got one of the best stories in the Premier League. You’re buying the next three, four, five years and imagine the journey you’re going to go on with this new stadium.

“That’s really cut through in the market and we’ve been able to have conversations with brands that honestly, I don’t think we’d have been able to previously before the Friedkins took over and we moved to the new stadium.”

All of this stuff matters because revenue is king for ambitious clubs in the coming years.

New financial fair play rules coming into force next season will allow clubs to spend up to 85 per cent of their revenue on “squad costs” – a catch-all term that includes transfer fees, player wages and agent fees.


Owners Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan are heavily involved in all aspects of the business (Photo: Getty)
That is a step change from profitability and sustainability rules, which dealt with profit and loss, and the change is viewed internally as a good thing for Everton.

This is largely down to the way the Friedkins – who have become personally involved in efforts to drive new partnerships for Everton – are now running the club.

“I can’t overplay the significance of the Friedkins,” Rollings says.

“What they’ve brought is clear strategic direction, vision, alignment, clarity and they’ve given us stability.

“The club hasn’t been a stable asset. It’s not a glamorous term but it’s really important when we’re talking about brands making a long-term commitment to the club.

“The way I talk about the Friedkins is they’re an ownership group founded on partnerships. Generations ago the partnership they struck with Toyota is the basis of what they have built.

“Our opportunity isn’t just Everton and the stadium, it’s also to be part of this massively connected, hugely impressive ownership group.”

What does all this mean for transfers? The Friedkins’ view is clear: every single penny banked through new sponsors will be invested back into the club.

Read Next
Everton are now an Arsenal tribute act – that should worry every football fan
Last summer the owners were still finding their feet but spent just over £100m on incomings.

With amortisation of transfers and vastly improved revenue streams taken into account, there is potentially scope to spend double that.

The i Paper understands next month’s accounts will include record commercial revenue figures.

Rollings says the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been a game-changer.

“It was a chance for us to reset what we stood for as a football club, a brand platform, reset commercially, reset the fees and investment we could command,” he explains.

A smart decision to create a family of founding partners for the Hill Dickinson Stadium – with companies like Pepsi and Budweiser partnering with Everton – has paid off and another tie-in with another multi-billion firm is to be announced within weeks.

There have been other benefits, too. The stadium is building a reputation as a new “go to” venue across multiple sports, with England rugby union and Lionesses World Cup qualifiers announced this week.

There are also ambitions to bring a major European club final – realistically the Europa League or Conference League – to the new venue.

Every revenue stream is being looked at. Everton want a training ground sponsor and the Friedkins are encouraging the club to tap not just the US market but also the Middle East, Oceania and Apec (Asia-Pacific) regions.

Globe-trotting joint men’s and women’s team pre-season tours are viewed as a possibility in the future.

“We’ve really only just scratched the surface,” Rollings says.

“The stadium is the launchpad for the club competing at the top end of the league and being really competitive again – I’m convinced by it.”

Why do we always release stories about being close to doing something? I mean, we don't hear a peep out of them and when we do it's 'We're close to this' or ' We're gonna d that'.

Just do it and don't talk about it. It's just Straight out of the BK book of its Season Ticket renewal time so put something in the media to fool everyone that next year will be different.

 

[Bally1989]

He's clearly being fed stuff whether or not you like the baldy Geordie or not

 

[Ferguson1878]

Why do we always release stories about being close to doing something? I mean, we don't hear a peep out of them and when we do it's 'We're close to this' or ' We're gonna d that'.

Just do it and don't talk about it. It's just Straight out of the BK book of its Season Ticket renewal time so put something in the media to fool everyone that next year will be different.

 

[Lapeno77]

View attachment 344814

Never forget this gem

The deal that got away - by two hours

THE COLLAPSE of an Everton " media deal" two hours before contracts were to be signed set the club's financial recovery plans back by years.

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

 

[Zatara]

I know we all know about Toyota, but I think it's interesting that our 'Chief Partnerships Officer' specifically namechecks them in a conversation about our next sponsor.

They still seem the primary candidate to me.

They would be the favourites.

 

[Neiler]

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/everton-friedkin-bold-transfer-plans-4244124

Inside Everton's Friedkin revolution - and their bold new transfer plans
The Toffees are close to agreeing record sponsorship deals with major recognised brands thanks to business savvy owners and a transformative new stadium

It is the behind-the-scenes battle that most Everton fans probably don’t know is taking place.

While David Moyes is targeting Europe in the first season of a new era, off the field the club is scrambling to secure a marquee sponsor to replace online casino Stake.

The rush follows new Premier League legislation banning gambling companies from front-of-shirt sponsorships, leaving about half of the top flight seeking new deals.

But the good news for Everton is that it coincides with an off-field revolution that they believe will fast-track their ambition to compete for trophies.

Thanks to the Friedkins’ commercial savvy and a transformative new stadium, the club is in advanced negotiations with major brands willing to pay record fees. A deal is understood to be close.


The Hill Dickinson Stadium, located at Bramley-Moore Dock, cost around £750m to build (Photo: Getty)
“You talk about the transformation of the football club, we’re seeing it with the brands that are taking conversations with us,” Everton’s chief partnerships officer Mark Rollings tells The i Paper.

“I believe we’ve got one of the best stories in the Premier League. You’re buying the next three, four, five years and imagine the journey you’re going to go on with this new stadium.

“That’s really cut through in the market and we’ve been able to have conversations with brands that honestly, I don’t think we’d have been able to previously before the Friedkins took over and we moved to the new stadium.”

All of this stuff matters because revenue is king for ambitious clubs in the coming years.

New financial fair play rules coming into force next season will allow clubs to spend up to 85 per cent of their revenue on “squad costs” – a catch-all term that includes transfer fees, player wages and agent fees.


Owners Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan are heavily involved in all aspects of the business (Photo: Getty)
That is a step change from profitability and sustainability rules, which dealt with profit and loss, and the change is viewed internally as a good thing for Everton.

This is largely down to the way the Friedkins – who have become personally involved in efforts to drive new partnerships for Everton – are now running the club.

“I can’t overplay the significance of the Friedkins,” Rollings says.

“What they’ve brought is clear strategic direction, vision, alignment, clarity and they’ve given us stability.

“The club hasn’t been a stable asset. It’s not a glamorous term but it’s really important when we’re talking about brands making a long-term commitment to the club.

“The way I talk about the Friedkins is they’re an ownership group founded on partnerships. Generations ago the partnership they struck with Toyota is the basis of what they have built.

“Our opportunity isn’t just Everton and the stadium, it’s also to be part of this massively connected, hugely impressive ownership group.”

What does all this mean for transfers? The Friedkins’ view is clear: every single penny banked through new sponsors will be invested back into the club.

Read Next
Everton are now an Arsenal tribute act – that should worry every football fan
Last summer the owners were still finding their feet but spent just over £100m on incomings.

With amortisation of transfers and vastly improved revenue streams taken into account, there is potentially scope to spend double that.

The i Paper understands next month’s accounts will include record commercial revenue figures.

Rollings says the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been a game-changer.

“It was a chance for us to reset what we stood for as a football club, a brand platform, reset commercially, reset the fees and investment we could command,” he explains.

A smart decision to create a family of founding partners for the Hill Dickinson Stadium – with companies like Pepsi and Budweiser partnering with Everton – has paid off and another tie-in with another multi-billion firm is to be announced within weeks.

There have been other benefits, too. The stadium is building a reputation as a new “go to” venue across multiple sports, with England rugby union and Lionesses World Cup qualifiers announced this week.

There are also ambitions to bring a major European club final – realistically the Europa League or Conference League – to the new venue.

Every revenue stream is being looked at. Everton want a training ground sponsor and the Friedkins are encouraging the club to tap not just the US market but also the Middle East, Oceania and Apec (Asia-Pacific) regions.

Globe-trotting joint men’s and women’s team pre-season tours are viewed as a possibility in the future.

“We’ve really only just scratched the surface,” Rollings says.

“The stadium is the launchpad for the club competing at the top end of the league and being really competitive again – I’m convinced by it.”

The article is wrong in that we wont know the revenue from the new stadium in the next set of published accounts, the next ones published will be the last season at Goodsion - there may be an uptake on some cross over on commercial deals.

 

[blulouie]

I assumed you were talking about not trusting the article you were actually commenting on obviously, that's why I pointed out - twice - that he was quoting people from the club in it. Breaking transfer stories is a totally different thing, the sources will be different, but it seems pretty obvious he's a favoured journalist where the owners are concerned. You can't 'trust' stuff like this but you can't trust it because it's vetted by the club, not because he's making it up.

My thoughts exactly
Theres a world of difference between transfer speculation and direct quotes from an interview with a high ranking company employee no matter who the journo reporting it is.
Its all pretty solid & very welcome information to me .

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

He's got nothing in the bank when it comes to credibility. Never called a transfer right. In fact, he's been spectacularly wrong when it comes to breaking his own stories.

Just because he's got access to a club official doesn't mean we should start believing him.

First question should have been, where is the Everton Ladies football sale money gone? On paper its profit, my understanding its paid out in dividends to freidkin group and Everton FC won't see a penny of it. Not convinced myself our owners are going to be financial backers many hope they will be,

 

[preposterousvelios]

First question should have been, where is the Everton Ladies football sale money gone? On paper its profit, my understanding its paid out in dividends to freidkin group and Everton FC won't see a penny of it. Not convinced myself our owners are going to be financial backers many hope they will be,

Your understanding based on what exactly? Because every journalist that covered it at the time was clear that it was a PSR maneuver.

 

[Makis]

Americans clearly see value in the PL, but it would be interesting to know where they see the most potential for increased profit. The big difference between the NFL and the PL seems to be the salary cap, which I believe is less than 50% of revenue in the American game, leaving more potential profit for the owners than they can expect at Everton. A major income driver over there is TV rights, as it is here, and unless the overseas market can be leveraged even more, it's hard to see huge increases in the future. Renting out the stadium for events is a relatively small chunk of revenue in the US, and is dependent on major tours like the Taylor Swift one - but even then, she took most of the revenue, the stadium owners made their money on parking, concessions etc. So, I'm not sure Stadium use is going to make the Friedkins rich. There doesn't seem to be the same appetite for high-priced game by game tickets here as there is in the States, so I feel that ticket revenue is close to maxed out at the Hill Dickie.

The only avenue in which the English games beats the American game seems to be sponsorship. It's only around 10% of revenue in the NFL, but the top football clubs here and in Europe can pick up 40% of income from that route. Our neighbours get over half their revenue from "commercial activities". If that's the big one, then surely the only way our owners can hope to increase commercial revenue is via success on the pitch.

In which case, it's a win-win for us and the owners.

Unless it's one of the top six making money that way in PL is very hard. There's just not much extra if you also want to be competitive, or at least try to avoid being drawn to a relegation scrap. Even ManU suffered from the Glazer's skimming of profits and they their revenue is many times bigger.

If they are in this for the money alone, stabilising the club, improving revenues as much as possible and then selling would be the best option. They would make so much more profit than they could ever make from club's profits.