Looks like we have a new owner

[Pacman]

I see, so then DIC could come back with a revised offer.

That makes it ever so much more understandable that other offers at least had to be considered, and not on a 12 hour deadline.

But according to some they never made an offer

[tomasjj]

But according to some they never made an offer

Well, an unformal offer then.
Sort of quoting a price per share.

[Rich]

I think the real reason why people are crying about the fact that DIC have walked away is because of some ridiculous notion that the Sheik would stump up untold sums of money to become our very own Abramovich, when this was never going to happen.

[kopdan]

I think the real reason why people are crying about the fact that DIC have walked away is because of some ridiculous notion that the Sheik would stump up untold sums of money to become our very own Abramovich, when this was never going to happen.

that pretty much sums it up to be honest

[Jayesh87]

Sorry if this has already been posted.....

US billionaire joins Gillett in Anfield Bid

Feb 2 2007

by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A SECOND American tycoon has joined forces with US mogul George Gillett in a bid to take control of Liverpool FC.

In an unprecedented move, it emerged last night that Texas billionaire Thomas “Tom” Hicks had entered into an agreement with Gillett to go half-and-half on purchasing the club.

The two men already share both business and sporting interests in the United States, but this would be the first time two major sports owners have gone into such a partnership together.

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

It was reported that Hicks was in the UK this week, and was due to return to the United States last night.

The partnership idea is believed to have gathered steam after Hicks and Gillett both attended last week’s National Hockey League All-Star Game. The two men have previously worked together on the executive board of a meat processing company.

The businessman is credited with revitalising the Dr Pepper brand, among others, through the Hicks, Muse, Tate and Furst investment firm he co-founded in the late 1980s.

He shares similar interests with Gillett, who owns the Montreal Canadiens, as he also owns an ice hockey team, the Dallas Stars, which he took over in 1995, along with the Texas Rangers baseball team in 1998.

Both are operated under the Southwest Sports Group company owned by Hicks, which also includes the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.

He has also been closely involved in developing new stadia for his teams, and is part owner of the new American Airlines stadium in downtown Dallas, the most expensive hockey and basketball arena in US history, at $420m. That fact is sure to be tempting to Liverpool FC, which is desperately hoping to move to a new stadium on Stanley Park soon.

Hicks is also closely involved in a massive new 75-acre development called Glorypark, which, as well as including the Texas Rangers stadium in Arlington, will also include the new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys football team, along with retail, enter- tainment, residential and office use.

Hicks, who is married with six children, is number 382 in the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans.

Although Hicks is a close supporter of President Bush and has donated money to the Republican party, he has also made smaller donations to the Democrats.

He purchased the Texas Rangers from an investment group that included George W Bush, who was then the Texas governor.

It is said that the investment Hicks would be putting in would be similar to the $250m he paid for the Rangers when he purchased them in 1998.

They added that he is “never afraid to spend money” and had been instrumental in pursuing and acquiring a number of big-name players for the Dallas Stars since taking ownership of the club.

He also secured the biggest contract in the history of American professional team sports when he signed Alex Rodriguez to the Texas Rangers baseball team for $252m in December 2000.

They also said that Hicks’s lengthy ownership of his existing two sports clubs showed that he saw Liverpool FC as a long-term investment.

Liverpool FC were last night thought to be delighted at the development, which they believe will completely change the landscape of the takeover saga.

There had been concerns among fans that the shock withdrawal on Wednesday of Dubai International Capital had left Liverpool with a second choice deal, with Gillett’s fortune estimated at around just $860m but the arrival of a second wealthy American is sure to ease those fears.

Thomas Hicks’s story is almost a perfect example of the “American Dream.” His father was a small-time Texas radio entrepreneur, and Hicks dutifully followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at stations until quitting when his father refused to expand.

Putting his MBA business qualification to good use, he started the leveraged-buyout firm Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, and scored early successes with soft drinks Dr Pepper and Seven-Up, investing $45m and returning nearly $700m.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Bentez yesterday admitted his surprise at the collapse of the DIC bid, but insisted he has been assured by the club hierarchy he can trust them to make the right decision over the club’s future.

Liverpool have been overwhelmed by the response of fans angry at the sudden change of direction, after five years trying to put together a package of outside investment to secure a new ground and give the club the financial muscle to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United.

But Benitez said: “I have spoken to Rick Parry and he says he feels this could be better, really good for the club. But I prefer to leave them to decide while I concentrate on the derby against Everton on Saturday.”

Rick Parry jumped to the defence of chairman David Moores, who stands to make an extra £8m from the new offer, with around £88m for his 51% stake. He said: “The message is ‘don’t worry’. Whatever decision is finally made will be done in the best interests of the club.

“We had a duty as directors to consider a very interesting bid from George Gillett. The price is not the factor in David Moores’s mind.

“He is not after cash for himself, absolutely not. But he felt compelled to consider the rival bid.

“The DIC response was to give the club 12 hours to make a decision, but the chairman was not prepared to have the club bullied like that.”

# WITH additional reporting by Sam Lister.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

[Pacman]

I think the real reason why people are crying about the fact that DIC have walked away is because of some ridiculous notion that the Sheik would stump up untold sums of money to become our very own Abramovich, when this was never going to happen.

Very good point.

[Jayesh87]

Red Barons!

Feb 2 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

THE American ownership of Liverpool Football Club is expected to be agreed early next week.

George Gillett jnr and Dallas businessman Tom Hicks spent yesterday in the city finalising details of their joint £170m purchase.

They returned to America last night, after the involvement of billionaire Hicks had added a new dimension to the deal.

Hicks and Gillett have now become partners in the bid for the club, with Hicks seen as the key factor in David Moores’ reassessment of his options, which led to the collapse of the DIC proposal.

Hicks, the 60-year-old owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team and Dallas Stars hockey club, has a proven track record in sports ownership. He can also count on President George W Bush among his close circle of friends, and has been a significant contributor to Bush’s campaign fundraising.

He is also acting as a committee member on the team pushing Rudolph Giuliani’s bid to become president in 2008.

The Anfield board believe his weight adds a fresh credibility to the Gillett bid.

Chief executive Rick Parry told the ECHO today: “While we have always had a good relationship with George Gillett, it’s clear the involvement of Tom Hicks adds another dimension and considerable strength to the bid, and was a very significant factor in us looking afresh at the proposals.”

There is now expected to be rapid progress, with only fine tuning standing in the way of agreement.

Moores, Hicks and Gillett will certainly have shaken hands over dinner yesterday afternoon, when they were entertained by the chairman and his wife.

Although neither American is yet in a position to talk publicly about their involvement, sources close to them said an announcement was anticipated early next week.

The Anfield hierarchy will hope the latest revelations will end the uncertainty and explain why Moores was having second thoughts so late into the Dubai process.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/l...name_page.html

[Rich]

Looks very much like a done deal then.

[Jayesh87]

You must be mad, says DIC

Feb 2 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

DUBAI International Capital today launched a scathing attack on Liverpool's conduct, saying chairman David Moores had made a bewildering and shocking decision.

The fallout of the collapse of the deal intensified, with Dubai sources contacting the ECHO to put their side of the story in the days leading up to their withdrawal.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry explained how Liverpool felt it was their duty to consider a rival offer from George Gillett jnr, and ultimately felt bullied into making a swift decision.

But a DIC spokesman has retaliated by suggesting chairman David Moores panicked at the 11th hour with a deal about to be sealed.

The spokesman said: "If the fans want to know what's happened, David Moores suffered what I can only describe as a mental aberration, just when the agreement was about to be reached.

"The fans are bemused, and we at DIC are just as bemused by the past few days.

"Liverpool Football Club has been looking for years and years for an investor, going through numerous suitors. They came to the conclusion DIC were the best people. We've been working closely with advisors for the last six to eight weeks, and spent a lot of time preparing a deal.

"We are genuine supporters who not only wanted to invest in the club, but to do so by keeping Mr Moores and Rick Parry in place. The announcement was going to be made this Monday.

"Then, 10 days ago, we heard from the press George Gillett had made another bid. No-one from Liverpool told us this, and when we asked what was happening they said they didn't know why a bid was made other than to muddy the waters.

"Then we read a formal statement from Liverpool announcing Gillett's bid last Friday. Again, DIC were informed by a journalist.

"This lack of communication made our guys tense.

"On Tuesday, we expected the board meeting to accept our proposals. Instead, we found out the board was discussing George Gillett's offer, once again through the press.

"Even on Tuesday night we could get no answers from Mr Moores and Mr Parry, even though we had a representative at the West Ham match.

"The people back in Dubai thought they weren't being told what's going on.

“There was no ultimatum given, but we did make it clear we needed to know quickly if the press conference was going ahead on Monday because DIC officials needed to know if they should book their flights.

"Once word got back to Dubai on Tuesday there were no answers from Liverpool, the word from on high was this is bad for our reputation and it all stops right now.

"We can't understand what had changed since December 4 when after a long search, Liverpool announced we were the best people."

DIC also raised questions about the merits of Gillett's proposals.

"We believe there will be more debt at a higher rate of interest. We can't understand why Liv-erpool would take such a risk."

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

I dunno who to beleive

[tomasjj]

Believe in Rafa.

[Jayesh87]

24 hours that changed Liverpool FC forever

Feb 2 2007

North West Sports Reporter of the Year Chris Bascombe on the dramatic events that transformed the Liverpool takeover

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

GEORGE Gillett jnr and Tom Hicks took only a day to thrash out the deal that will hand Liverpool FC into American control.

The US multi-millionaires breezed in and out of Merseyside yesterday to complete the most dramatic Anfield substitution since David Fairclough came off the bench against Saint Etienne.

What's even more staggering is they were able to board the plane home before anyone noticed the devastating trail they were leaving behind.

Two days ago Monday was the day pencilled in for new Arab owners to sit in the Anfield trophy room announcing their arrival.

Now, their places have been taken by Gillett and Hicks, who have a combined wealth running into billions.

They have offered £5,000 a share and, despite the absence of any bid which is anywhere near this, are considered men of their word.

Anfield officials could barely contain their excitement as the guarded secret of Hicks's involvement in the deal filtered through.

The Reds say they were bound by their confidentiality not to announce the partnership sooner, even as the flak was flying and questions being asked about where Gillett’s cash was coming from.

Hicks is undoubtedly the more influential partner within the American bid.

The 60-year-old Texan runs Southwest Sports Group, which owns among its vast portfolio, the Texas Ranger baseball team and the Dallas Stars hockey club.

He is a bona fide billionaire, a man who evidently has the bucks and the connections.

Both Hicks and Gillett have built their reputation on being businessmen who care for their communities as much as their assets, and this will form part of their bid to win over the supporters.

Fans can expect to hear how they too will respect the traditions and heritage of the club and embrace the passion of The Kop, the modern boardroom equivalent of a new player proclaiming they have been a lifelong fan.

They have also promised continuity at boardroom level.

DIC did the same, of course, although it has emerged under their proposals that Parry would have been the only existing board member who would have kept his position. Moores would have been a figurehead, but the other five places would have been selected from DIC.

The speed with which Liverpool have moved from one deal to another is staggering.

Hicks and Gillett must have been boarding their private jet to England as the Dubai bid was in the process of being withdrawn.

Liverpool maintain there was no double dealing, and Gillett and Hicks re-emerged as contenders only on Tuesday.

The success of their trip to Merseyside suggests the American duo are either the most perceptive, astute and forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the world, or the most fortunate.

The swiftness of the transformation hardly contradicts conspiracy theories Gillett was being privately courted as Dubai were being publicly presented as the likely new owners.

Liverpool say this is not the case.

Some may argue it is little wonder DIC were offended by what they perceived as “dishonourable” business practice and chucked the dummies from the United Arab Emirates to Anfield.

An alternative, more sympathetic argument would praise Moores for keeping his options open, ensuring if he did not like what he saw from DIC, the ready alternative was waiting.

In the world of business, big boys' games are played under big boys' rules.

Dubai are not used to losing, which may be why they took their ball home.

Having moved on to the Gillett/ Hicks deal, Liverpool are now less inclined to continue the war of words and focus on the future.

The deal is virtually signed and sealed.

It remains to be seen whether the latest twist will appease supporters, confuse them even more orcontinue to arouse suspicion.

Liverpool hope these developments provide necessary answers to their public.

But they will be under no illusions there are many more searching questions still to come, and reassurances required, before anyone on the Kop starts waving the stars and stripes.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

[AFII]

""This lack of communication made our guys tense."

No real surprise.

[Dhav]

I think the real reason why people are crying about the fact that DIC have walked away is because of some ridiculous notion that the Sheik would stump up untold sums of money to become our very own Abramovich, when this was never going to happen.

Well I'm upset about DIC walking away, but not really for this reason. I never had any notion that they would be like Abramovich. I never wanted them to be and I dont want to be anything like Chelsea, spending £25m on sqaud players. In terms of transfers, I only hoped this deal would enable Rafa to go out and get an Alves instead of a Pennant.

What I was hoping for is that they would make the club debt free, build the stadium without mortgaging the club's future on it, so that if they did decide to walk away in a few years the club wouldn't be left with liabilities it cant meet. I'm not convinced these two Americans can promise anything like that. Even combines I'm not sure they have the wealth to do buy the club, pay off debts and build the stadium without mortgaging it.

I fear we'll become like Arsenal now, dependent on CL money to pay off interest on the stadium.

[Red Chilli]

**** DIC, their 2 public condemnations of 1-the board and now 2 David Moores is absolutely disgusting.
They have no class, they obviously have no respect. Saying Moores had a mental aberration is totally disrespectful.
I'm glad we don't have people like this in charge, I'm not over the moon we have these 2 americans, but at least the club is moving forward now.

Based on the last 24 hours, we had a lucky escape with DIC.

[tomasjj]

**** DIC, their 2 public condemnations of 1-the board and now 2 David Moores is absolutely disgusting.
They have no class, they obviously have no respect. Saying Moores had a mental aberration is totally disrespectful.
I'm glad we don't have people like this in charge, I'm not over the moon we have these 2 americans, but at least the club is moving forward now.

Based on the last 24 hours, we had a lucky escape with DIC.

Awful comments to make in public.
Sour grapes all along, and a lack of class.
Our dealings might not be classy either, but they aren't a tad better, actually much worse.