La Liga
New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Acquiring Sevilla
Seville, Spain – New England Patriots owber Robert Kraft is closing in on acquiring La Liga side Sevilla. According to Spanish radio Cope, Kraft will buy 40% stake in the Spanish football club and that it could be concluded this week.
“Apparently in the last few months there have been “exorbitant offers” to buy small packages of shares of the club, with offers climbing above $1,750 for a share whose nominal value a year ago was $70.”
In addition, the Mundo Deportivo suggests there is a slight power struggle in Los Rojiblancos’ boardroom. The investment group led by Kraft is called “Sevillistas Unidos 2020”.
Robert Kraft
The 77-year-old has an estimated fortunte of $4.17 billion, according to Forbes. He was also very close to acquiring English Premier League side Liverpool in 2005. The side currently owned by Tom Werner through Fenway Sports Group, which controls MLB Boston Red Sox.
However, aside from owning the Patriots, Kraft also owns MLS side New England Revolution.
Sevilla
Sevilla has turn for the best in the last couple years. They have established a successful academy and transfer model that allows them compete and sell at the same time. Alongside, they have been quite successful at the Europa League competition, winning it five times in the last 12 years. However, they have not been successful with their domestic trophies as they have not won La Liga since 1945-46 and Copa del Rey since 2009-10.
But this isn’t the only reason that Kraft is interested in buying the club. Sevilla has been fiscally responsible has trebled is revenue in the past five years to $176 million for the 2017-18 season. In addition, ticket sales are on the rise with ticket renewal rate surpassing last season’s 90% renewal.
US Soccer
Unfortunately, there are no promises for US Soccer to grow with an American buying a Spanish side team. We have seen this with the Werners in Liverpool as not a single American lad has been through the ranks of the English powerhouse.
