DIC withdrawal not the end of the world?

[JungleCat03]

Gillett set to complete Reds deal

Liverpool have agreed a deal with American tycoon George Gillett and his takeover of the club will be completed early next week, BBC Sport understands.

It is believed that another US ice hockey club owner Tom Hicks is also backing the deal.

Until earlier this week, Dubai International Capital had been expected to buy out the Anfield club for £450m.

But DIC pulled out of talks after Liverpool said they wanted to consider a rival bid from Gillett.

The Gillett offer is understood to be more lucrative for shareholders but chief executive Rick Parry has insisted that money was not the motive for considering an alternative to DIC.

It also includes a commitment to finance a new stadium, thus ruling out the possibility of a ground-share with Everton.

Gillett, who owns the National Hockey League side Montreal Canadiens, has impressed Liverpool with his proposals and the speed at which he completed due diligence - the process of investigation by potential investors - in three days.

The 68-year-old American has also stressed his experience in running successful sporting operations.

However, the Independent has claimed that Gillett's business empire collapsed in 1992, leading to a £33.7m personal bankruptcy.

Hicks owns rival NHL franchise Dallas Stars as well as the Texas Rangers baseball team.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6323037.stm

[boldie]

I know I would have preffered Sheikh Mohammed to have taken over.

You either get people on board who pay a fair price and have proven to be truly interested in funding top sporting achievements and top operations..or you get someone who pays you a bit more but you have no idea where you are when it comes to the transfer window and their future plans for the club.

[Colchester Kev]

How immature am I ?

I cant stop giggling at Dic withdrawal & Dic pulls out

[The Baron]

I know I would have preffered Sheikh Mohammed to have taken over.

You either get people on board who pay a fair price and have proven to be truly interested in funding top sporting achievements and top operations..or you get someone who pays you a bit more but you have no idea where you are when it comes to the transfer window and their future plans for the club.

I agree Boldie.

Good news for shareholders, bad news for us generally.

[kinboshi]

The new owners have been making all the right noises so far. 

Got to look at this in a positive light...

[boldie]

The new owners have been making all the right noises so far. 

Got to look at this in a positive light...

With these guys you have to wait and see...With DIC you knew where you were. I also though DIC were willing to pay more...or was I misinformed?

[kinboshi]

The new owners have been making all the right noises so far. 

Got to look at this in a positive light...

With these guys you have to wait and see...With DIC you knew where you were. I also though DIC were willing to pay more...or was I misinformed?

DIC offered less.  There was also talk (unfounded rumours probably) that Moores wasn't happy about DIC's long-term plan, which is why the deal wasn't accepted in the end and he preferred the Gillett offer.

I'

[NoflopsHomer]

This thread should've been called: Gillett - The best a man can get?

[dan]

what was good/bad with DICs offer. the reason i ask is that i have heard that they may put a deal together to bid for arsenal.

I didnt really take much notice of all the details.

[kinboshi]

what was good/bad with DICs offer. the reason i ask is that i have heard that they may put a deal together to bid for arsenal.

I didnt really take much notice of all the details.

Not really known - all speculation and rumour.

Talk that they had a short-term focus and wanted to sell the club on in 7 years or something.  Whatever it was, it spooked Moores enough for him to go the deal that he thought was originally second best.  Moore, for all his critics, certainly has Liverpool at heart and the reason it's taken so long for Liverpool to secure an investor is because he wanted what was best for the club.

Saying that, whoever DIC invest in will have an investor with potentially bottomless funds.  Both the DIC and Gillett deal had positive and negative aspects.  Both exciting and scary at the same time.  I guess in ideal world it wouldn't have had to happen.  But football is BIG money now, and times have changed.  I'm sure Arsenal are a very attractive option for investors (second only to Liverpool...).

[The Baron]

what was good/bad with DICs offer. the reason i ask is that i have heard that they may put a deal together to bid for arsenal.

I didnt really take much notice of all the details.

A DIC spokesman has already ruled out a bid for another club as the DIC owners were huge Liverpool fans. This was only last week.

[kinboshi]

what was good/bad with DICs offer. the reason i ask is that i have heard that they may put a deal together to bid for arsenal.

I didnt really take much notice of all the details.

A DIC spokesman has already ruled out a bid for another club as the DIC owners were huge Liverpool fans. This was only last week.

They also said that they were investing in Liverpool for the long-term, but there are people who'd dispute that.

[JungleCat03]

The Gilette deal has been confirmed.

A spokesman for lliverpool had the following to say...

"The board are confident the gillette deal is a good move for the club. We are bristle-ing with contentment at the outcome of the negotiations. We expect this to be a good deal for the club. No more stubble-ing towards the title, or close shaves in europe, mach my words."


So, what does everyone think about this!


US pair agree Liverpool takeover

George Gillett and Tom Hicks
Gillett and Hicks will be co-chairmen of Liverpool
American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks have reached an agreement to take over Liverpool.

Hicks and Gillett will be co-chairmen but will leave existing chief executive Rick Parry to run the club.

Liverpool chairman David Moores, who will become an honorary life president, said: "This is a great step forward for its shareholders and its fans."

The pair, who each own NHL ice hockey teams, beat off competition from Dubai International Capital.

Interview: Tom Hicks and George Gillett
Interview: Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson

Their offer is worth £5,000 per share, valuing the club at £174.1m, and along with the club's £44.8m debt it values the club at £218.9m.

But the pair are also believed to have guaranteed to invest over £200m in the club, but they refused to discuss figures.

They confirmed they will make funds available, both for team strengthening and the building of the club's new stadium in Stanley Park and denied they had secured the club on borrowed money.

   
606: DEBATE
I'm happy with the takeover, although a bit wary, as I guess all fans probably are at first

FG
606: Have your say

"We have purchased the club with no debt on the club," said Gillett. "We believe in the future of the club, the future of the league, the new TV contracts are outstanding and we are proud to be a part of it.

"This is truly the largest sport in the world, the most important sport in the world, and this is the most important club in the most important sport in the world.

"What a privilege we have to be associated with it and we hope that with the good graces of Rick and his team that we will have on-the-pitch success and economic success."

They said the club would consider selling the naming rights to the new stadium.

Gillett added: "If the naming rights are worth one great player a year in transfer spending, we will certainly look at that as a serious option."

But both Gillett and Hicks vowed to safeguard the legacy of the club and leave Parry and manager Rafa Benitez to do their jobs.

George Gillett, Rick Parry and Tom Hicks
Existing chief executive Rick Parry will be left to run the club

A club statement earlier confirmed that a deal had finally been done after a three-year search for new owners.

It said: "Liverpool FC today announced that the board have agreed the terms of an offer for the club from Mr George Gillett and Mr Tom Hicks.

"The board are unanimously recommending that the club's shareholders accept this offer."

Moores was not present at the official announcement, with Parry saying it was probably "the worst day of his life" and the "biggest decision".

But in a statement he said: "This club is my passion and forms a huge part of my life. After much careful consideration, I have agreed to sell my shares to assist in securing the investment needed for the new stadium and for the playing squad.

"I urge all my fellow shareholders to do the same and to support the offer. By doing so, I believe you will be backing the successful future of Liverpool.

"I am also delighted to accept the offer from the Hicks and Gillett families to continue my involvement in the club by becoming honorary life president."

Parry added: "This is great for Liverpool, our supporters and the shareholders - it is the beginning of a new era for the club.

Hicks, who owns the Dallas Stars ice hockey club as well as the Texas Rangers baseball team, joined forces with Gillett to gazump rival bidders DIC last week. "They are bringing to the table tremendous and relevant experience, a passion for sport, real resources and a strong commitment to the traditions of Liverpool.

"We know that George and Tom want a long-term relationship with Liverpool and that they also understand the importance of investing in our success both on and off the field.

"They have made clear their intention to move as quickly as practicable on the financing and construction of our proposed new stadium at Stanley Park and also to support investment in the playing squad."

Both Parry and Gillett said the addition of Hicks last month had been crucial in sealing the deal.

   
The Hicks family and the Gillett family are extremely excited about continuing the club's legacy and tradition

Joint statement from Hicks and Gillett

But Gillett dismissed reports that said he had planned to groundshare with neighbours Everton, saying that Parry had warned him off such a suggestion at their first meeting.

Gillett, owner of Montreal Canadiens, has impressed Liverpool with his proposals and the speed at which he completed due diligence - the process of investigation by potential investors - in three days.

The 68-year-old American has also stressed his experience in running successful sporting operations.

It is thought to be the first time that two owners of rival sports clubs in one league have combined to purchase a club in another.

Liverpool will become the third Premiership side to come under the control of American owners, following the takeovers of Manchester United and Aston Villa in recent years.

A joint statement from Gillett and Hicks said: "Liverpool is a fantastic club with a remarkable history and a passionate fanbase.

"We fully acknowledge and appreciate the unique heritage and rich history of Liverpool and intend to respect this heritage in the future.

"The Hicks family and the Gillett family are extremely excited about continuing the club's legacy and tradition.

"We are particularly pleased that David Moores and Rick Parry will have a continuing involvement in the club. For us continuity and stability are keys to the future."

[kinboshi]

The press conference was good - and they made all the right noises.  Still a bit uneasy, but also excited at the same time...

[boldie]

The press conference was good - and they made all the right noises.  Still a bit uneasy, but also excited at the same time...

I watched it and am happy with it..the only bit that slightly concerned me was the "Gillett added: "If the naming rights are worth one great player a year in transfer spending, we will certainly look at that as a serious option.""

But I get the feeling that a new stadium would have a tough time being called Anfield anyways...it'd just be different and somehow not right. (New Anfield sounds even worse) and if they sign someone like Ronaldhino or Messi with that money I don't think many people will complain for long.