There is already a heavy influence in the Premiership from across the Big Pond
10:34, 23 Mar 2025
An American flag on display at Ibrox(Image: SNS Group)
Hibs owner Ian Gordon insists Scottish football’s proud "heritage" makes the game attractive to American investors as a Rangers takeover moves closer
A US group involving 49ers Enterprises - the investment arm of San Francisco 49ers - and healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh are on the brink of completing a Rangers takeover.
Article continues below
And their arrival will increase the American involvement at Scottish Premiership clubs, with Hibs, both Dundee clubs and St Johnstone also under the control of owners from across the Atlantic.
And despite the seemingly impossible task of trying to make money in the Scottish game, Gordon insists football in this country is appealing for a number of reasons.
He said: “In Scotland you have that heritage of football, it's different, it's just different from how soccer is or American football is back home.
Hibernian director Ian Gordon
“It's not something that is passed down by generation by generation and there's real history here.
“So I think Americans want to tap into that because that's not something that they're able to have back home.
“And I think they see all the opportunities now with all the docu-series that are coming out and the fame that people are able to get from football and how they can grow their football clubs. I think it's a huge desire for Americans.
“Obviously there's many highs and lows, but as I've stated I love football. I love this club, my family's fully committed to it but you’ve got to enjoy the highs and the weather the lows.”
Hibs' American influence grew last year with the arrival of minority shareholder Bill Foley - owner of Bournemouth - and his Black Knight Football group.
Bill Foley
And Black Knight president Tim Bezbatchenko agrees with Gordon about what makes Scottish football special.
He said: “Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is the history, tradition and the passion. I’m coming from the United States and Canada, which this year is launching their 30th year.
“And I look at the 150th year that we're starting here at Hibs and you think of the years and seasons and relegations and promotions and wars, literal wars that have happened in that amount of time.
“And you just can't really fully understand it unless you've lived it and your generations and families have lived it. So I think that's the first thing we think of in Scottish football is history and tradition.
“And then when it comes to Hibs, and you think of obviously the city of Edinburgh and the opportunity that is there.
Article continues below
“When Black Knights were talking with Ian, it was about really winning something and capturing the hearts of not only the current fan base, but to grow it.
“And not only beat the team that's across town - but solidify our position as one of the top five consistently.
“Fom a Black Knight perspective, Hibs is in a very special place in the global game because it can get into Europe, because it can develop players. And it obviously is connected to the UK.”