Former Everton striker Louis Saha, whose social network AxisStars is estimated to be worth over £4 billion, has described the club as a "great investment opportunity" as The Friedkin Group explores selling a controlling interest.
The Texas-based company, which purchased Everton from Farhad Moshiri less than 22 months ago, announced on October 9 that it is exploring new investment options, including the potential sale of a controlling interest. Chairman Dan Friedkin has never watched Everton play or spoken to manager David Moyes, but Saha, who was signed by Moyes during his first spell in charge in 2008, said he is puzzled by the development.
Saha's Career and Business Success
The Parisian scored 35 goals in 115 games for Everton, including one after just 25 seconds in the 2009 FA Cup final. He played in sides that finished fifth, eighth and seventh in the Premier League in his three full seasons at Goodison Park.
The 48-year-old founded AxisStars after retiring, and the social network is now estimated to be worth over £4 billion. By the time he hung up his boots in 2013 at the age of 35, Saha had played for Metz, Newcastle, Fulham, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Lazio.
The net worth of Saha's business is now over seven times more than Ronaldo's £600m net worth. Ronaldo became the first active footballer to earn over $1bn, with his Al-Nassr contract banking him £220m in 2024.
AxisStars and Its Reach
The company, co-founded by Kate Hamer, focuses on connecting relationships between "professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners". Alongside Hamer, Saha joined forces with technology executive Patrice Arnera in developing the business. According to several sources, more than 550 ex-athletes are connected with the firm.
Saha admitted he gets inquiries from people asking for his advice and said starting AxisStars has surpassed anything he achieved in his football career.
"I still get asked for advice by different people on a daily basis," he told The Guardian. "For instance, my agent called me to say he had a talented French footballer who he wants to bring to England, and asked me for advice on how to create a tailor-made training programme. I put him in touch with people I used to work with.
"This kind of player could join Axis as he can then search for a personal coach in his region. It is a hard process but it's so rewarding, because if I can help 100,000 people, it's the best thing I've ever done."
Saha on Everton's Future
In his personal life, Saha has three children with his former partner and is believed to be living in the south of France. Despite being a household name during his playing career, he keeps his personal life private.
Speaking courtesy of BettingLounge this week, Saha told the ECHO: "I'm extremely surprised that the Everton owners want to sell. I thought that the momentum was good because since David Moyes arrived, they have had the chance to play in a beautiful stadium.
"There is a big vision and it seemed like the investment would follow but it hasn't. David Moyes was left short in the transfer market, he does work well with a smaller squad, but he needed more back-up in certain positions.
"I don't think the disruption will harm them on the pitch, but I'm really surprised by the owners, it's not a great sign."
Believing Everton to be a good opportunity for investment, he said: "Everton are a great investment opportunity. It's a great stadium, a great place to be in the Premier League. They've been there for many, many years, so it's quite a stable club.
"There are so many aspects when you have such a fanbase and a rivalry that always attracts a lot of attention. So, there is definitely material there to think about in terms of investment.
"The trajectory of any club in the Premier League could be an enormous opportunity. But I still wonder about the reasons why this has happened, when you have such a position or a strong position, it's very strange timing."
