Looks like we have a new owner

[AFII]

Here you go AF, you've earned it

[Pacman]

Must've missed that - what's their latest statement say?

They've told the echo we must be mad.

It's not the Liverpool way and I must admit George Gillet and Hicks haven't mouthed off once to the press.

[disco]

Only messing, I just thought it was obvious that Gillet would need a backer.

[Dhav]

I don't expect a logical explanation for this but...how do you know all of this? How do you know that the club would have been debt free? How do you know that the stadium would not have been mortgaged? How do you know that the combination of 2 American multi millionaires would not be able to compete with the money that DIC were prepared to put in? How do you know that DIC were not going to sell us off for a profit as soon as they could?

Throwing dummies out of prams because somebody won't make an absolutley massive decision within 12 hours doesn't sound good. It took SG longer than that to withdraw his transfer request yet they wanted an answer in less time?

The answer to your questions is I dont know for sure - but it is fair to say that DIC have more resources than these two yanks so there is greater likelihood they could meet the liabilities when they fall due.

Truth is that Moores did not have 12 hours to make a decision - he already made one after weeks of work putting the deal in place. Only When he didn't want to stick with it did DIC start throwing dummies out of prams.

[Helios Creed]

The feeling seems to be that this was a much better offer as we don't get saddled with the debt for the new stadium, they do (but they might be able to sell the stadium name to help cover it). Also that legally we had to consider the new offer.

[El Jefecito]

To be perfectly honest I've never really seen much difference between the bids, based on the details released. Sure both have debt but that's normal. I have always been leaning towards Gillett though based on people over here (in the US) telling me about his business dealings.

Gillet is a marketing genius. He took over a poorly producing meat operation and discovered sales were low. He worked out it was due to the leanness of the meat. What did he do? Fatten them up nope. He put on his marketing hat and created a whole new market for lean health concious meat products. That company now owns that market segment. True marketing genius, what could he do with us.

The other thing often mentioned is his ability to generate additional revenue streams from existing assets. He doubled the income from their stadium by hosting non-sports events.

Both of these examples show that he HAS already done exactly what we need him to do. Market us and create more revenue.

This guy is a smart cookie and I for one am not concerned about their bid.

Only the people who thought the sheik would turn us into Goldophin fail to see this. The sheik was never going to do that. Hell DIC said they refuse to overpay for assets, that's a clear indication that this was a pure business decision so their bid was not better in that respect.

Relax boys and girls, whichever way it goes we'll be far stronger and far more able to compete than we have in the last 10+ years.

Pop a prozac and join the party.

[Dhav]

To be perfectly honest I've never really seen much difference between the bids, based on the details released. Sure both have debt but that's normal. I have always been leaning towards Gillett though based on people over here (in the US) telling me about his business dealings.

Gillet is a marketing genius. He took over a poorly producing meat operation and discovered sales were low. He worked out it was due to the leanness of the meat. What did he do? Fatten them up nope. He put on his marketing hat and created a whole new market for lean health concious meat products. That company now owns that market segment. True marketing genius, what could he do with us.

The other thing often mentioned is his ability to generate additional revenue streams from existing assets. He doubled the income from their stadium by hosting non-sports events.

Both of these examples show that he HAS already done exactly what we need him to do. Market us and create more revenue.

This guy is a smart cookie and I for one am not concerned about their bid.

Only the people who thought the sheik would turn us into Goldophin fail to see this. The sheik was never going to do that. Hell DIC said they refuse to overpay for assets, that's a clear indication that this was a pure business decision so their bid was not better in that respect.

Relax boys and girls, whichever way it goes we'll be far stronger and far more able to compete than we have in the last 10+ years.

Pop a prozac and join the party.

I have to say yours is the most reassuring post I've read yet on this whole affair.

[Fan65]

Its not about USA

Its about Liverpool having the money to build a stadium
Its about Liverpool being able to sign better players
Its about Liverpool moving forward

Its matters **** all where they come from
They offered the better deal
Time you accepted it

The voice of sanity

[nebbers]

Hicks, 60, made his fortune in finance and is a high-profile supporter and friend of US President George W Bush.

Yay. Maybe we can start a war....

[El Jefecito]

I have to say yours is the most reassuring post I've read yet on this whole affair.

Ta!

BTW On the bankruptcy thing that's almost a rite of passage in the US. Hell, even Trump had to bankrupt himself a couple of times before he made it big!

[captainfog]

To be perfectly honest I've never really seen much difference between the bids, based on the details released. Sure both have debt but that's normal. I have always been leaning towards Gillett though based on people over here (in the US) telling me about his business dealings.

Gillet is a marketing genius. He took over a poorly producing meat operation and discovered sales were low. He worked out it was due to the leanness of the meat. What did he do? Fatten them up nope. He put on his marketing hat and created a whole new market for lean health concious meat products. That company now owns that market segment. True marketing genius, what could he do with us.

The other thing often mentioned is his ability to generate additional revenue streams from existing assets. He doubled the income from their stadium by hosting non-sports events.

Both of these examples show that he HAS already done exactly what we need him to do. Market us and create more revenue.

This guy is a smart cookie and I for one am not concerned about their bid.

Only the people who thought the sheik would turn us into Goldophin fail to see this. The sheik was never going to do that. Hell DIC said they refuse to overpay for assets, that's a clear indication that this was a pure business decision so their bid was not better in that respect.

Relax boys and girls, whichever way it goes we'll be far stronger and far more able to compete than we have in the last 10+ years.

Pop a prozac and join the party.

I agree, however, for me the main difference is the financial clout that sits behind the deals.

I know, before you say anything, that DIC were not going to turn us into Chelsea, and I was pleased about that, however, they would have let Rafa buy the key players he needed. - if Rafa needs 15m to buy Alves, he would get that cash.

I'm not convinced that the yanks bring that kind of money with them and i am concerned we are going to have to continue to scrap around buying players like Pennant.

[RedProf]

Why do DIC feel the need to mouth off in the local press? Surely they are above a public slanging match, no??

Seems they are conducting themselves in a manner I'd expect from Morgan.

Is there something dodgy about their deal which came out at the last minute hence why we pulled the plug. If so, well done to Moores and Parry.

[Dhav]

I agree, however, for me the main difference is the financial clout that sits behind the deals.

I know, before you say anything, that DIC were not going to turn us into Chelsea, and I was pleased about that, however, they would have let Rafa buy the key players he needed. - if Rafa needs 15m to buy Alves, he would get that cash.

I'm not convinced that the yanks bring that kind of money with them and i am concerned we are going to have to continue to scrap around buying players like Pennant.

My concerns exactly.

Anyway, nothing we can do about it now. It is what it is. All we can do is just get on with it.

[Mumsafan]

Why do DIC feel the need to mouth off in the local press? Surely they are above a public slanging match, no??

Seems they are conducting themselves in a manner I'd expect from Morgan.

Is there something dodgy about their deal which came out at the last minute hence why we pulled the plug. If so, well done to Moores and Parry.

Yes.

[lfc4ever]

http://www.u****ch.org/utimco/hicks.html

Thomas O. Hicks

Tom Hicks Tom Hicks is a Dallas billionaire and investment banker who began raiding the University's public funds after the University refused to invest in his dental company in the early 90's. Hicks first appeared on the public scene when he donated $17,500 to Ann Richards, Texas governor at the time. He was subsequently appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Richards in 1994.

After Ann Richards was defeated in 1994 by George W. Bush, Hicks shifted his heavy donations to Bush. Hicks gave $146,000 to Bush in both of his gubernatorial campaigns. In return for the gratitude, Bush approved legislation to form UTIMCO in 1995. Hicks had used a full-court press strategy, spending between $50,000 to $110,0001 in lobbying and using with the powerful lobbying team Vinson and Elkins, who represents several Texas business interests, to achieve this dream.

Conveniently for both men, Bush appointed Hicks as the first chair to UTIMCO, which began the tradition of tit-for-tat management and good-ol' boy favoritism that has defined the relationship between UTIMCO and Texas politics since. In 1998, Hicks would make Bush a multi-millionaire by purchasing the Texas Rangers. In addition, Hicks' company, Hicks, Muse, Tate, & Furst, Inc., is now Bush's number 4 career patron. The company is still donating to the GOP; Rick Perry has received $283,481 from Hicks Muse, with another $176,500 coming from Charles Tate [Hicks, Muse, Tate, & Furst, Inc.]. Hicks's brother Steven has also thrown in $138,516.

For several years, UTIMCO acted in secrecy under the protection of the Texas Attorney General, which facilitated the process of questionable investments in return for political favors. UTIMCO invested some $525 million in assets run by Hicks associates and other major GOP donors. After the Houston Chronicle exposed such insider dealings in a 1999 article, Tom Hicks resigned from the board.

Investments made by UTIMCO under the watch of Tom Hicks include the following, as reported by the Multinational Monitor, Texas for Public Justice, and Bushwatch.net:

* The Carlyle Group: the Group's partners include Bush Sr. and ex-Secretary of State James Baker III.
* Maverick Capital Fund: Major project of the Wyly brothers.
* Bass Brothers Enterprises: The Bass family donated $210,000 to Bush's campaign through PAC's, with $273,000 from themselves, and they invested $25 million in Bush's Harken Oil venture.
* Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: This corporate buyout firm would soon join Hicks Muse in a $1.5 billion takeover of Regal Cinemas.
* Evercore Partners: Evercore and Hicks joined forces for a $900 million television buyout.
* American Security Partners: Landed a contract with UTIMCO months after selling several radio stations to Tom Hicks.
* Wand Partners and Inverness Management: Firms run by friends of Tom Hicks, such as former frat brother Bruce Schnitzer.

Another notable company not covered by the Multinational Monitor was an investment in Capstar Broadcasting, run by R. Steven Hicks- Tom's brother. The brothers have had strong interests in national communications companies, and some deals that have been proposed (some sought after by trustbusters) have reached the billions. Clear Channel Communications/AMFM (owned by Hicks Muse with Tom Hicks as the vice-chair) is the largest chain of radio stations in the U.S. Hicks Muse also owns the second largest chain in the U.S., Chancellor Media.

Hicks is also known as the power behind the revitalization of Dr. Pepper and he gained 1,477 percent when he sold to Cadbury Schweppes in 1995.2
Hicks and Ross Perot, Jr.

Together Hicks and Ross Perot, Jr. (chairman, CEO and director of Perot Systems Corp. and son of the former presidential candidate) created the most expensive hockey and basketball arena in U.S. history. The American Airlines Center cost $420 million; $125 million of that came from Dallas's taxpayers. This was soon after the Ballpark in Arlington was constructed and partially funded from tax-payer dollars. As an added incentive for constructing new arenas, franchise owners received $10 million bonuses. Hicks did see some money of this money from building the American Airlines Center for his Dallas Starts although he did not receive it from the newly constructed ballpark that houses his Texas Rangers (it was built before he made the purchase). Hicks also has interests in minor league baseball; he just built a new stadium in Frisco, and three entrepreneurs have filed a lawsuit against him for "freezing them" out of their interests in bringing a minor league team to Frisco.

Currently, Hicks and Perot, Jr. are working together in another business venture that coincides with this new arena. Hicks's company, Hicks, Muse, Tate, & Furst, Inc., and Perot's company, Hillwood Development Corporation, have joined forces to develop the land around the arena. In the private sector, Hicks frequently combines his corporate dealings with his personal relationships. As chairman of UTIMCO, Hicks continued this practice, leading to numerous conflicts of interest. For example, UTIMCO has $988,080 invested in Perot Systems Corporation as of March 2002 and $109,309 in Electronic Data Systems Corporation (which Perot Sr. founded) as of June 2003.