FSG’s Saudi Arabia Talks: Will It Impact Liverpool? | OneFootball

John Henry, FSG, and the Saudi Arabian Talks: What It Means for Liverpool

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), under the stewardship of John Henry, has made waves again, not in football but in golf. Recent reports from Liverpool World indicate FSG are in direct talks with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) as part of the wider negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. This ongoing development raises interesting questions for Liverpool fans, many of whom are closely watching how these dealings will impact their club.

The involvement of FSG in golf, specifically through the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) consortium and their $3 billion investment into the PGA Tour, shows that their focus is not exclusively on football. While this diversification may be lauded from a business perspective, many Liverpool supporters will wonder what this means for the football club, especially given the quiet summer transfer window and lingering rumours surrounding Mohamed Salah and a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

Photo: IMAGO

FSG’s Broader Sporting Portfolio

FSG’s interests go well beyond Anfield. Their ownership stretches across the sporting world, from baseball’s Boston Red Sox to ice hockey’s Pittsburgh Penguins and NASCAR’s RKF Racing. They also own a franchise in Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ new golf competition. Such a wide-ranging portfolio indicates a desire to dominate in various sporting arenas.

As the PGA Tour and LIV Golf work towards securing a deal before the December 31st deadline, FSG’s involvement is deepening, with John Henry having met PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

What Does This Mean for Liverpool?

The Athletic reported that FSG was considering purchasing a second football club to maintain Liverpool’s competitive edge in the Premier League and on the global stage. FSG president Mike Gordon acknowledged the complexities of modern football, stating: “Global football has changed immensely over the past several years, becoming increasingly sophisticated and creating a myriad of challenges.”

Since this initial report, there has been some movement in the public domain with links this summer to FSG purchasing French side Bordeaux, however since then there has been nothing public about a second club.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s difficult not to feel a sense of frustration as a Liverpool supporter when observing FSG’s current direction. While their involvement in global sports is undoubtedly impressive and profitable, the apparent neglect of key football matters is concerning. The summer transfer window passed with minimal activity, and despite reports of potential moves, nothing significant materialised. The club’s failure to sign top targets like Martin Zubimendi this summer and other notorious failed transfers in past windows is a direct result of this lack of focus in recent years.

Additionally, the ongoing saga with Salah and his rumoured move to the Saudi Pro League creates further tension. For a player of his calibre, Liverpool fans want assurances that he will remain at Anfield, yet FSG’s focus appears elsewhere. Fans will also want progress on contracts for other out of contract stars Virgil Van Dijk & Trent Alexander-Arnold.

FSG’s interest in purchasing a second football club could be a positive step towards securing Liverpool’s long-term success. Still, with no updates on this front, fans are left in limbo, unsure of the club’s future direction. While the global sports landscape is undoubtedly changing, Liverpool’s competitive edge must remain intact if they are to continue challenging for major trophies.