| Liverpool receive two bids The board of Barclays Premier League club Liverpool have confirmed they have received "two excellent financial offers" to buy the club. foxsports.com.au |
Liverpool FC's prospective owner has a strong record with his sports teams John W Henry has helped the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and his motor-racing team win the Daytona 500Liverpool fans may be wary of another American owner, but if John W Henry's takeover of their club is successful they will find the new owner a very different breed to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.The quiet, reserved 61-year-old made his fortune in hedge funds, but has used it to indulge his sporting interests, most famously with the Boston Red Sox baseball team, but also in the Nascar motorsport series.The self-made multi-millionaire does not have the vast fortunes of the Premier League's wealthiest, however Market Folly noted that Henry still made it into the Forbes' billionaire list in 2009, with an estimated fortune of £1.1bn.While his value dropped during the credit crunch, he does have a strong track record of success with his sports teams. After owning a number of minor league teams, and briefly controlling the Florida Marlins, Henry and his partners in New England Sports Ventures (NESV), Tom Werner and the New York Times Company, bought the Red Sox in 2002.They had acquired a famous name but a team that could not translate their wealth and prominence into championships thanks to one of baseball's most endearing tales – 'the curse of the Bambino'.The Red Sox won the World Series in 1918, but immediately afterwards sold the emerging star Babe Ruth to their arch rivals, the New York Yankees. Ruth went on to smash baseball recordsand establish the Yankees as the pre-eminent franchise in the game. The Red Sox suffered calamity after calamity as they attempted to end their curse and win another title.As entire generations of Red Sox fans passed through Fenway Park without ever seeing their team win a title, many wondered if the curse was here to stay. But within two years of Henry's acquisition – according to the Boston Herald, NESV paid $660m for the team – the drought came to an end as they won their first World Series title in 86 years. Three years later, they won it again.Henry's reign has also endeared him to fans, according to Boston Globe reporter Peter Abraham. "He [Henry] is a very interesting guy. He made all his money in hedge funds," Abraham told the Liverpool Echo. "He purchased the Florida team, the Marlins, but he swapped it for the Red Sox. He has been very popular in Boston."The Sox have the second oldest stadium in baseball and he has fixed it up better than people thought he would. He spent more than people thought he would, I would imagine probably $50m (£31m), if not more."Henry resisted any temptation to move out of the historic but restrictive Fenway Park – baseball's oldest ground. Instead, the club has found inventive ways to maximise revenues to remain competitive with the Yankees.The fortunes of Roush Fenway Racing have similarly risen since Henry bought into the Nascar team in 2007. They won their first Daytona 500 in 2009, with Matt Kenseth crossing the line first.Sports Business Journal reported that the deal took more than three years to put together – presumably longer than NESV's bid for Liverpool took to prepare – but said that "once struck, the partnership quickly paid big dividends".A year after NESV bought Roush Fenway Racing for $60m, it was named Nascar's most valuable team, with an estimated worth of $316m.While Henry's sporting investments have thus far proved to be successful, perhaps optimism should be tempered by the fortunes of his asset management company John W Henry Inc.Goal.com reported that both Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal wrote about financial difficulties in JWH Inc in 2007, adding: "In the previous December, Boston Magazine reported losses of $300m (£188m) for that month alone.""Currently, the investment firm is believed to handle $270m (£169m) worth of assets," Goal.com added.Optimism should perhaps be further tempered by the following statement on the website of John W Hall Inc: "An investment with JWH is speculative, volatile, involves a high degree of risk, and is designed only for sophisticated investors who are able to bear the loss of more than their entire investment." the about JWH section states.Fans will be hoping Henry doesn't view his investment in Liverpool FC with the same cavalier attitude.LiverpoolJohn W HenryBoston Red SoxUS sportAdam Gabbattguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Hagi replaces Rijkaard as Galatasaray coach Galatasaray has named Gheorghe Hagi to replace Frank Rijkaard as coach of the Turkish club. cbc.ca |
Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers These are tricky times for Wolves. Mick McCarthy's side have not won a league game since the opening day and collide with Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal in their three matches after tomorrow's trip to the champions. It must be hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. Their last victory at Stamford Bridge came 31 years ago, and they conceded nine on their last two league visits. They must cling to the possibility that Chelsea's players will be sluggish having not returned to Cobham from Moscow until 3.30am on Wednesday. A difficult afternoon awaits. Dominic FifieldVenue Stamford Bridge, tomorrow 3pm Tickets Sold out Last season N/A Referee L ProbertThis season's matches 5 Y10, R2, 2.40 cards per gameOdds Chelsea 1-7 Wolves 22-1 Draw 15-1ChelseaSubs from Turnbull, Hilário, Ferreira, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kalou, Mellis, McEachran, Kakuta, Sturridge, BoriniDoubtful Sturridge (ankle)Injured Lampard (groin, 30 Oct), Alex (thigh, 30 Oct), Ramires (ankle, 30 Oct), Benayoun (achilles, Apr)Suspended NoneForm guide DWLWWWDisciplinary record Y13 R0Leading scorers Drogba, Malouda 6WolvesSubs from Hennessey, Ebanks-Blake, Van Damme, Elokobi, Mouyokolo, Davis, Bent, HuntDoubtful NoneInjured Craddock, (hip, 30 Oct), Zubar (ankle, Nov), Kightly (match fitness, Jan), Guédioura (leg, Feb)Suspended Henry (second of three)Unavailable Mancienne (loan terms)Form guide DLLLLDDisciplinary record Y21 R2Leading scorers Fletcher, Ebanks-Blake, Jarvis 2Match pointers• Chelsea have gone 691 minutes since conceding a league goal at home• Wolves have won only four of their 42 Premier League away matches and none of the last seven• Chelsea have won all four Premier League meetings with Wolves, bagging 16 goals in these games• Wolves have lost 10 points when leading this season, more than any other side• Michael Essien has received a pass every 1.37 minutes on average this season, a faster rate than any other player in the divisionChelseaWolverhampton Wanderersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Stoke City v Manchester United: match preview Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Stoke City and Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday Oct 24, 2010, kick-off 13:30 BST. telegraph.co.uk |