10-06-2010, 08:56 AM
CRISIS club Liverpool are to be sold to the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
The takeover — by New England Sports Ventures — is subject to the outcome of a legal dispute with US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The Premier League will also have to approve the American buyout.
Hicks and Gillet are unlikely to go quietly however, after last night's bitter power struggle saw them try to sack managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre.
The club's two American owners are unhappy at the bid, feeling the club has been "dramatically undervalued".
Purslow, Ayre and chairman Martin Broughton will fight attempts to replace them legally, and force through the sale.
Broughton said: "I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive.
"The Board decided to accept NESV's proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner.
"NESV's philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.
"We've met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.
"By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team.
"I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale."
The takeover — by New England Sports Ventures — is subject to the outcome of a legal dispute with US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The Premier League will also have to approve the American buyout.
Hicks and Gillet are unlikely to go quietly however, after last night's bitter power struggle saw them try to sack managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre.
The club's two American owners are unhappy at the bid, feeling the club has been "dramatically undervalued".
Purslow, Ayre and chairman Martin Broughton will fight attempts to replace them legally, and force through the sale.
Broughton said: "I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive.
"The Board decided to accept NESV's proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner.
"NESV's philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.
"We've met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.
"By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team.
"I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale."