Image Credits: Imago Images
Over the past year, talk in the footballing world has increasingly centered around the rise of the multi-club ownership model.
From Manchester City’s sprawling City Football Group to the Red Bull network, top organizations are looking to harness the benefits of a global football portfolio. For Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the powerhouse American sports conglomerate behind Liverpool FC and other major franchises, the appeal of such a strategy is clear.
The return of Michael Edwards as CEO of Football had that in mind, with the former Liverpool sporting director coming back partly to help construct the multi-club model.
Recent months saw Getafe CF, a stable LaLiga club just outside Madrid, emerge as a prime target.
It was soon reported that FSG, fresh off another evaluation of global assets, had entered talks over a potential €130 million acquisition. For FSG, Getafe appeared to be a gateway into the exciting world of Spanish top-flight football.
However, those ambitions have now been shelved.
According to a report from Marca, FSG has withdrawn its interest in buying Getafe after a thorough analysis of the club’s financial and sporting landscape.
The primary sticking point is said to be LaLiga’s strict financial controls, which tightly link spending on squad wages and transfers directly to income, in a bid to promote long-term stability.
While FSG admires the league’s commitment to financial discipline, the structure creates obstacles for ambitious, immediate squad investment – especially for clubs with lower revenues like Getafe.
On top of this, Getafe’s current squad value leans heavily on experienced, veteran players.
Significant rejuvenation would require a large upfront investment, but under LaLiga’s rules, and with the club’s existing revenue stream, making sweeping changes quickly just isn’t viable.
Even after high-profile summer sales, president Ángel Torres admitted to registration headaches caused by these salary limitations.
In light of these hurdles, FSG concluded that conditions aren’t right to pursue Getafe now, although plans for future expansion remain on the table if the Spanish footballing ecosystem moves toward a more favorable environment.
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