The Friedkin Group (TFG) has confirmed it is exploring new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling interest. The announcement came less than 22 months after the Texas-based company completed a takeover, acquiring Farhad Moshiri’s entire 99.5% controlling stake.
The brief, 178-word statement acknowledged the club’s progress under their ownership: “When TFG became custodians of Everton, the club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch. The immediate priority was to provide the stability, investment and support needed to secure the club’s future, including helping to bring the long-promised stadium to completion for its deserving supporters.”
Stadium completion and financial stabilisation
After taking over in December 2024, TFG oversaw the internal fitting out of Everton’s new 52,759-capacity stadium on the Mersey waterfront. They also restructured club debts, moving them to lower interest schemes and paying bills with cash injections, including £35million owed to Burnley in June for a historic PSR breach.
The statement added: “With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton. We will only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.”
Fan concerns over investment and commitment
Despite these achievements, fans have criticised TFG’s focus, which appears to be on other projects, including Roma, where they have approval to build a new stadium costing over £1billion, and an NHL expansion team in Texas, a project estimated at $3.5billion.
Chief executive Angus Kinnear predicted before the current season: “This window again, I think we will spend more than most of our competitors, the owners are very keen to back us.” However, after the window closed, Everton ranked 15th among Premier League clubs for net spend and were one of only six teams to make a trading profit.
The club raised over £100million on deadline day by selling Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson, while Adam Aznou was loaned out. The late collapse of a deal for Folarin Balogun left the squad with 18 outfield players, including just one striker, one left-back and one right-back.
Ownership style and future prospects
Dan Friedkin, the 61-year-old chairman and CEO of TFG, has never attended an Everton match, although his son-in-law Rishi Majithia represents the owners at home games. In contrast, Friedkin has been pictured at Roma matches and personally flew former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and coach Jose Mourinho to Rome when they joined the club.
Manager David Moyes, appointed less than a month after TFG took charge, revealed last month he has never spoken to Dan Friedkin. With the new stadium generating an estimated additional £60million a year in revenue, the club awaits a new owner with a clear vision.
