Reports: MSP Sports Capital revive interest in Everton takeover

MSP Sports Capital are the only parties involved who can mount a creditable corporate recovery plan and are capable with a large enough equity interest to carry it through, with the outcome of selling Everton on as a going concern.

But I do stress that even they, according to AI have Russian connections, though hopefully not of significance to affect a recovery plan. A big part of that will be how Moshiri and 777 Partners are dealt with. Hopefully they buy out the 777 Partners interest and, better still, at a discount. The A S Bell connection buying MSP out.

The 30-year curse may finally be lifted.

I appreciate these situations and negotiations are complex. But take the lead. Take ownership and at least let us know some details as to what is going on.

They would need to buy Moshiri shares and pay off the other creditors. That must be anywhere between £500M and £600M… not happening. Can they even afford it?

According to Alan Myers, a former communications director of the club, Moshiri has said this will be sorted before we play Sheffield Utd. So maybe at long last he is going to finally pull out of the deal with 777 Partners.

Regarding the possibility of MSP taking over the club, when it was rumoured last time they were about to make an offer, apparently Rights & Media Funding objected and at the time they were the biggest of the companies who had loaned the club £200M.

I am also a little confused about who actually is the driving factor at MSP. I read that the company is owned by Jeff Moorad and Jham Nahjafi, yet it seems that both Andy Bell and George Downing, who I believe own AJ Bell, have also got ties with MSP. Does anybody know what connection these two lads have with MSP?

It is likely that the creditors will have to take less than they loaned. MSP will only have to offer more than they would receive from an administrator.

Something to take our frustrations out on.

MSP seem to be the best bet we have currently and seem capable of running the club from a business point of view. Everton are popular, have a great loyal fan base, and will have one of best stadiums in the world.

Yes, during the last many years, Everton have been grossly mismanaged but, with effective management and also learning from the past mistakes, we can turn the tide and compete in Europe in at least 1 or 2 years.

What worries me is that Everton are currently loaded with debt and, while there are noises that there are others waiting in the wings, there is no clarity as such. Not sure on how much interest MSP hold.

It may end up that MSP and Moshiri agree to keep him on as a minority shareholder.

A lot depends on Rights & Media Funding, who stopped MSP taking over in the first place but must now be regretting backing the 777 deal.

Blythe Capital is a financial services company that provides advisory services for sports and media rights deals, while MSP Sports Capital is an investment group that specializes in sports investments and acquisitions.

Blythe Capital Directors are A Bell and his wife. Gooding is associated with Blythe Capital. Blythe Capital are advisors and collaborating with MSP Sports Capital In their investment in Everton. Blythe Capital have two charges registered against the Everton Stadium Development Company which relate to a £158M loan funded by MSP Sports Capital.

MSP Sports Capital were prepared to provide funds secured against 25% of Moshiri's shares in Everton FC Co Ltd, but because of the terms of the loan that R&MF secured against the assets of Everton FC Co Ltd, they required a payment.

The reason has been speculated as being due to valuation or a due payment. MSP Sports Capital were not prepared to pay and 777 Partners stepped in.

I have been calling this outcome since last year, more in hope than with any supporting evidence.

I have always believed that MSP would never make that stadium loan without the certainty that sooner or later they would swoop back in to buy the club when 777 inevitably fell on their face. And that the stadium loan, the kind of transaction MSP had never done before, was simply an investment in preserving the value of their future purchase.

And I have always believed that MSP would be the best possible buyer for Everton.

If it happens, there will be a lot of noise at my house. Like when Dom dove for that header.

Come on, Jeff, make this deal happen.

Always followed your views about these guys with interest. Keep it up.

When we get our American owners, you'll have to learn the language!

You've had me dreaming of this prospect for all of these long 8 months but having suffered so long and so often as the rest of you, I've not dared to dream for long.

They sound like a group who can run a business, unlike Wander and his goons.

It's the fans and the club in the future who will pay for it, that's for certain.

He claims he will continue to fund the club but he is just borrowing (at high rates). What happened to his billions???

It's all so murky, the sooner he's gone the better, although I think he shouldn't be allowed to off-load his burden to these scammers 777 Partners.

The new stadium is an excellent addition and an asset some will covet, but which of these money men will want the team as well as the stadium?

I am being pessimistic, but I can't see anything other than a bargain basement price for Everton being obtained and, to achieve this, we will either need to go into administration, or Moshiri will have to literally give his shares away.

I can't see a white knight coming to our rescue, just a bunch of moneymen picking over the carcass of the shite Moshiri and Kenwright left behind. I just wish it would all just get sorted one way or another and we could at least move on for better or worse.

Weeks and weeks ago he said words to the effect of "The better option for Everton would be that the 777 bid collapses because MSP have strong Everton connections within their make-up and I am personal friends with one of them and they will want success for the footballing side of things. They are football people, they are proper Evertonians."

Another way of looking at it is another foot bullet from Moshiri, but at this point who would expect anything else from that muppet?

Did Bill's friends stop them and end up costing the Uzbek, even more money?

The front face of Everton hasn't appeared right for a long time, so it's not hard to imagine how murky the back face must be, so hopefully soon, we will have a brand new beginning.

If MSP end up putting one over on them and Moshiri after getting knocked back, I for one am all for it. Hopefully I won't be eating these words a year or two down the line.

Is that the Simon Jordan who told us all that none of the problems we've had were caused by ‘Blue Bill' and that it's all Moshiri's fault? Who sold to him in the first place?

Let's not pretend that MSP are some form of White Knight coming to save us. They are a commercial entity looking to make a fast buck off us like everyone else is. Whether there are Everton fans involved or not, they won't be sentimental about it.

Unless you get a state coming in to buy you for Sports Washing purposes these days, then we are beholden now to private equity firms or fund investors looking to make a profit – no interest in sport.

Bear in mind, Mike, that if it fails to work perfectly, some here will blame you!

Don't you recall some who believed we wouldn't get a points deduction almost be blamed that we did.

I checked Companies House and it seems to list a couple of unknown directors. Sounds incredibly opaque…

What sort of hold do they have on the club? I kind of think the fans are owed some transparency or is that too much to ask?

Jordan simply said one of them is his friend and thinks MSP are better for Everton than 777. I'm simply repeating what he said in case people are interested. Shoot the messenger if you feel you must.

The problem was not MSP Sports Capital it was the deal that Moshiri was prepared to regarding securing 25% of his Shares against the initial MSP Sports Capital loans to Everton FC Ltd which later would convert to Equity..t was probably a threat to the collateralisation or security of the R& FM loans, R & FM legally and rightly asked that they should be compensated to redress the shortfall in collateral, so the MSP Sports Capital and Moshiri deal could go through.R&MF have to charges registered against Everton FC Ltd.One against Goodison Park and the other against future Media Funding.

Mo#29

RMF is one of the largest lenders to European football clubs and the Principals have been amongst the most active lenders to football clubs and other sports institutions for more than twenty years. RMF has lent more than USD3.6bn over the last 10 years and more than USD2.5bn over the last 5 years and has been a repeat lender to some of the largest and most prominent clubs in European football. Through a commitment to work with our clients during both the good and bad times, RMF has cultivated long term relationships with both individual clubs and the leagues themselves.

There headquarters is in a former Creamery in Co Cavan Ireland, which has one Director.

The only thing I do know(or am pretty sure of) is that nobody will buy Everton for a sum equivalent to what various parties have put in. Not even close, unless they are truly mad.

How this plays out is a riddle. I don't see MSP suddenly cashing out everyone's position, certainly not without Moshiri losing pretty much every cent. I still see this getting messier...

Thinking about it, is Moshiri a descendant of the hapless Ritzick?

I am reinstalling the Dave Watson shrine now!

Paul and Andrew, MSP have acquired a varied portfolio of sports properties. They have never sold any of them to my knowledge. So while they are absolutely looking for a profit from a troubled Everton (would you trust anyone who wasn't??), it certainly wouldn't be a "fast" buck. Especially with their loan involvement in the stadium, this would be a long-term investment.

Sean #35, I do the same thing at least three or four times a year. All the way through to the pitch invasion and Frank dancing in the stand. Still cry like a little kid.

What is needed here is cool heads!

God only knows what title Tony A will obtain, I will leave that to Michael to decide.

A urinal

However, if MSP take over and we are still shite, I propose we chuck Mike into the Mersey as punishment alongside Moshiri and the Uzbek.

I would not put it past Moshiri &Co and 777 Partners to allow things to drift towards Administration in any negotiations with Blythe/ MSP Sports Capital, to get them out as best they can.

The two questions which need answering concerning Everton FC Ltd are:

When 777 Partners /Moshiri sorted out R&FM, which MSP Sport refused to do, was any of R&FM charges against Everton FC Ltd affected.This will only show up publicly after the 23/24 Financial Accounts become available.

Is 777 Partners £200m loan secured or unsecured and how dependent it is on 777Partners being able to satisfy the criteria required to takeover Moshiri's shares in Everton FC Ltd.

The other concern I have is that during the Bonza debacle 777 Partners did attempt to bring in a Recovery Specialist to buy more time, though their now known sister company , A Cap pulled the plug.Teneo seems a similar type attempt and according to the US Federal Government they have 'still active ' Russian connections.Unlike BlytheCapital/MSP Sports Capital, they would be taking instructions from Moshiri and possibility 777Partners and would have no equity interest.They are currently involved in Superdry.

MSP Sports Capital via Blythe Capital have a charge which there has been difficulty paying on Everton Stadium Co Ltd, not Everton FC Ltd.

It could be that the unpaid £158million MSP Sports Capital unpaid loan is seperate and connected to Everton FC Ltd.Is there anyone who knows it that is the case? I remember at the time thinking so, but it was not on any hard evidence and can't find any now.

How Everton could yet prove an attractive buy despite nearly £1B of debt

They apparently considered a £3.5B deal for Spurs. So who is actually in control of MSP?

Jahm Najafi 'considers' MSP Premier League takeover amid £3.5B Tottenham 'interest' Football London — 9 May 2024

You've called out all the right questions there and the truth is none of us know the answers.

I fear this is incredibly messy and will delay any sensible takeover plan, the exits of Moshiri and 777 loan repayments will likely drag.

That puts our Summer preparations in a state of complete flux, no proper strategy can be implemented and the potential lack of short-term operational finance would remain a major concern.

Come on, MSP and Blythe, you are our best hope of a credible outcome.

"MSP Sports Capital via Blythe Capital have a charge which there has been difficulty paying on Everton Stadium Development Co Ltd, not Everton FC Ltd."

Who owns Everton Stadium Development Company Ltd that MSP / Blyth have lent the money to?

Ooooh, me, sir, please Mr Myles, I know this one.

Bill Kenwright claimed to be an Evertonian.

All he ever did was harm the club, though, so...

Everton Stadium.Development Ltd is owned by Everton FC Ltd. At one stage, I thought they were seperate, but discussion between posters on ToffeeWeb and ToffeeWeb articles established the above.

Some posters seem to think that MSP Sports Capital loan that was secured against the Everton Stadium Development Co Ltd, if not paid, gives MSP Sports Capital control in Everton FC Ltd but I can't see how that works. But I can understand the confusion with limited direct information that we are all working with.

Eric, I can see where you are coming from with that question, hopefully the above will help.

Good stuff, Colin.

If I remember correctly (can't find my exact notes on it) Everton Football Club Ltd. transferred it's shares in the stadium (previous company name) to Everton Stadium Development Company Ltd. which is under the ownership and control of Moshiri.

I asked the question at the time as to how this jives with the accounts saying it's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Club?

Are you sure?

Companies House indicated Everton FC control the Stadium Holding Co which in turn controls the Stadium Development Co.

If you were correct, I could see how Moshiri could get more of his money!

Believe me, we all hope that a buyer comes in who clears our debts and gets the club back on an even footing with the intent to invest and build for the long term - but having been an Everton fan for 40+ years I'm afraid my optimism has taken a beating, especially the last 10 years or so!

Forgive the noddy question, but if administration (and the 9 point penalty that it carries) was to happen, is there a deadline for administration to happen so that the points penalty was to hit this season and not for us to start next season with -9 points.

Something has surely got to give soon though because it's now becoming clear and obvious that 777 Partners are doomed.

A mysterious Miami firm tried to buy a top English soccer team—now it's being accused of $600 million fraud: ‘A giant shell game at best, and an outright Ponzi scheme at worst' — Fortune, 8 May 2024

Frying pan into the fire.

Source, Josimar: Out of the Blues

May well be a bit of a wait for that, though.

Just be decisive and make something happen. The danger here is the uncertainty and lack of communication.

You sound very much like my DS on my Cpl Brecon Cse. Are you ex-British military by any chance??

I assume they would…

Everyone is worrying about the 9-point deduction. I am worried that an administrator would sell Branthwaite, Onana, Pickford and Calvert-Lewin very quickly to raise the £200M.

Never mind – we can start next season with a clean slate – how about we can start next season with most of the U18s playing in the 1st XI.

Any chance of your thoughts on this, Paul the Esk?

Bargain!

Not as long as I've supported Everton!

The ongoing financial turbulence is a worry and none of us really know what's coming next but I am sure this season will be done and in the books before there is anything written in stone.

Thelwell says players will be offloaded and the speculation will now be rife as to who those players will be.

There have been a few players who have stood out this season, Pickford (arguably the best in the Premier League), Branthwaite a real gem, and Tarkowski as a leader. Others were very inconsistent but Calvert-Lewinvbeing crocked too often was a big miss.

Here's hoping Dyche has his eyes on a few players out there who can come in cheaply and improve the squad.

Are you sure you have the right R&MF? I'm born and bred in Cavan and never heard of them. Plus, that company is now dissolved.

Really interesting stuff.

The new stadium is fully paid for to date (by the various loans) and requires circa £100M to complete, so they can take a mortgage out on it at a lower commercial rate to pay off the R&MF, Metro, and 777 loans, as apparently the new stadium is worth £1billion.

Borrowing against 60% of its value shouldn't be too difficult to arrange and that would clear off all the loans and the completion money. Although these are huge numbers, it is only like getting a mortgage on your home, as long as you can meet the monthly payments.

We may be paying a mortgage for the next 40 years but that can surely be managed from the increasing TV monies and the extra revenue that the new stadium will provide, still allowing us to provide a viable playing squad (P&S rules notwithstanding) if we buy and sell correctly.

According to a few papers, MSP only chipped in £50 million with the rest from Andy Bell and others and they don't want to assume a >50% stake as the various debts then become their problem. In other words, £50 million at risk turns into £500 million at risk.

B Riley, the billion-dollar investment and liquidation company Josimar reports being brought in today to handle 777's mess, is itself something of a train wreck.

B Riley's stock has been on a wild ride in the past year due to massive investment losses and big loans to a suspected fraudster. At this moment, B Riley has still not filed its annual report pending a review of those transactions. Their stock dropped from $60 to $17 last year before suddenly bouncing back up to $32 last week.

Glass and Ratner, the two B Riley consultants who have reportedly sidelined Wander and Pasko, previously ran a well-respected bankruptcy services company that was acquired by B Riley in 2018. They have had a particular speciality in real estate valuation -- they managed the bankruptcies of some well-known hotels -- that could come in handy in untangling 777's investments from the stadium.

777 Partners lists a dozen Board members besides Wander. I wonder how many of those directors made the decision to bring in the hit men from B Riley? Glass actually being in 777's office after the news broke today is striking.

Tom #75, it won't be Dyche but Thelwell who will be responsible for finding the bargain players to fill the ranks.

Kieran #79, what papers? Citations please?

Found my notes.

Everton Football Club Company Limited transferred its 1 Ordinary Share to Everton Stadium Development Company Limited on 4 April 2022.

ESDCL was formerly Everton Football Club Finance Limited which became a Person of Significant Control on 3 December 2021, the day it changed its name to ESDCL. The same day EFCCL ceased to be a Person of Significant Control.

ESDCL own 75% of the shares and voting rights.

1. What is the penalty – 9 or 12 points?

2. If we go into administration after the Sheffield Utd game, in which season is the penalty applied – this or next?

3. Is there a critical date during the current season that impacts whether the penalty is applied this or next season?

Those saying that administration would mean a sale of assets and weakening us on the field… I'm not so sure.

If a White Knight buyer stepped in immediately and negotiated with the creditors to pay off debts (at pennies in the pound) from his own pockets then there would be no need for a fire sale.

An absolute must-win against The Blades. Won't be enough to guarantee safety in the event of administration on its own, so we'll need other results to go our way.

I read several so it was either The Guardian, Athletic or Mail.

Eric & Danny,

One of the papers, I think The Athletic today said Rrule 45 or something says the Premier League decide whether to impose the points deduction this season or next.

Paul the Esk says it's definitely this season; others claim it is definitely next season, so I've no clue who's accurate as everyone reports contrary information as fact.

It was The Athletic, Mike.

This week's game is no dead rubber where the administration question is concerned – that is of course if any points penalty is in fact applied this season.

With Teneo called in by us last week, 777 calling in an administrator this week, and Moshiri meeting 777 this weekend, the scene seems to be set for a decision to be made.

You would like to think that our director John Spellman, ex Price Waterhouse, is all over this.

The points can be deducted from those "scored or to be scored in the league competition"

So it's up to our good friends in the Premier League to decide when to apply a points deduction.

If Man City win the trophy, will Arsenal sue the Premier League?

Why then would the Premier League deduct us points when there would be little or no punishment element, except maybe a lower finishing position?

Then again I haven't a clue what a diamond, a false Number 10, or a channel is…

MSP Sports Capital primarily represents investors interested in sports investments, focusing on acquiring and managing sports teams. The investors they represent are likely interested in investing in sports franchises or related ventures.

MSP Sports Capital is a private equity firm specializing in sports investments, often investing in sports clubs, sports technology companies, sports media, and other sports-related businesses. They engage in various activities to enhance the value and performance of sports assets through strategic investments and partnerships across the sports industry.

For instance, they may acquire sports clubs, invest in sports technology companies, secure media rights, and engage in brand sponsorships or partnerships. In the case of Everton, MSP Sports Capital was reported to represent a group of investors, with Blythe Capital acting as their advisers in their interest in Everton.

Initially, MSP Sports Capital was approached in Moshiri's efforts to fund the Everton Stadium Development Ltd. They provided a £158m loan through Blythe Capital, secured against Everton Stadium Development Ltd (ending on 15 April 24). They then entered exclusive negotiations to acquire 25% of Moshiri's share in Everton FC Ltd, but the deal fell through.

The problem is the situation at West Ham. There's every chance Luton win today and we go to the Emirates needing a point to ensure we stay up.

I don't think administration suits anyone and would also result in greater losses for Moshiri and the companies that have invested into us.

I think we may get close to the wire in order to force people's hands but that quite often happens in these situations only for someone to step in at the last moment.

Hopefully we don't even get that close.

Rumors of Cahill, excitement about MSP, but the thing that intrigues me about the Americans, I've been going on about, is how they have managed to stay out of the news for so long.

This will not have been easy to do because the thirst in the media to write about Everton, has been going on for quite a while now, although it seems the media have only been interested in writing negatively?

The sun is out, there is a new dawn beckoning, and Everton football club, shall never, ever, be moved.💙

Singing ……………..

Sons of Goodison marching on
Down to the river Mersey
Together with you we will fight fight fight
For the honour of the Royal Blue Jersey

Blue & White are our colours
So we'll keep marching on
We can fight like no others
We are the mighty Everton!

I'd stick to my day job but I haven't got one.

Which is why the EPL argument that they should impose a points deduction against us, not a monetary penalty, is false, because they effectively impose BOTH!

I'm with you on your other issues though, except I know what a channel is having built a lot of them in my time.

Seems to me it could be? Or just an agreement between private club members?

If a White Knight buyer stepped in immediately and negotiated with the creditors to pay off debts (at pennies in the pound) from his own pockets then there would be no need for a fire sale."

Tony Abraham's Yanks and Tim Cahill's Arab's should be fighting over who gets us.

Laurie Hartley you were the true visionary selling us the dream of how the part of Melbourne became alive after the football stadium was built.

You lads from Birkenhead know the score. Well some of you do, in case Brian Williams gets any fancy ideas!!

Shaking off unsecured debt and introducing a debt payment moratorium until business restructured, making it more attractive to would-be purchasers, no administration and 9-point deduction.

Sounds too good to be true.

It was MSP Sports representing a group of investors, Advised and represented Blythe Capital.The charge for £158m loan is in Blythe Capital's name.

how to make a profit in the EPL

The one formerly of this Parish?

People in the know usually just keep it to themselves, but because I have been against 777, since day one, and have been hearing people say there is nobody else interested, in a similar way that allowed Bill Kenwright, to change the whole perception of what Everton Football Club, has always been about, I simply couldn't keep quiet.

These Americans still might not get Everton, although I'm led to believe that they are much further down the line than anyone else, but at the end of the day we all only want what's best for Everton football club, unless you're a phoney, second rate, nepotistic, fraud.

Let's just hope that whoever purchases Everton, reinstates the many great things that our club has always stood for, because making up the numbers, simply isn't why Everton fc, was created all those years ago🙏💙

Tony – we haven't met yet but my hope is I will be riding from the Pier Head down to our new stadium on one of those electric trams with you and Dave one day in the near future.

I know I am prone to repeating myself but I will never give up on what my wonderful father told me when I last saw him on this earth. “We will be great again, Laurie” the “we” being Everton.

Singing …

As I say, I'm not sure how that converts to corporate entities.