Season › 2024-25 › News NBA legend Jason Kidd joins Everton ownership group Anjishnu Roy 25/04/2025 39comments | Jump to last Jason Kidd, a double Olympic basketball champion, has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings which is a part of The Friedkin Group that completed its takeover of Everton last December. Kidd is a 10-time NBA All-Star, a Hall of Famer, and is the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks currently. The 52-year-old also won the NBA Championship with the Mavericks in 2011 and he has become the latest high-profile investor after TFG added billionaire Christopher Sarofim to its holding company recently. Everton will move into a new state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock at the beginning of next season, bidding goodbye to Goodison Park. "I'm honoured to be joining Everton's ownership at such an important moment - with a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it's a great moment to come on board," said Kidd. Everton executive chairman Marc Watts added: "As one of the NBA's greatest players and now a successful coach, his knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource for Everton. "He is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future for this storied club." Reader Comments (39) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Neil Cremin 1 Posted 25/04/2025 at 10:00:13 Thought I was going on TW to see any update on Saturdays game and this guy Jason Kidd (know nothing about him). The guy is an NBA coach and appears to be somewhat divisive. Wondering what he is bringing to the table. Thought I would see Mike Gaynes perspective. As for Saturday, the big question is how will we set up in defence. I know that many are calling for O Brien to move in to replace Tarks but the for me dare I say it, the biggest loss Tarks leadership and direction not on the footballing ability. My biggest fear is that role will now fall to Pickford who in my option causes more confusion and will upset any pair of CH in front of him. At least Tarks could manage Pickford. Hope I'm wrong but without any leadership in the heart of defence, I think we will be very vulnerable. Maybe its time for Branthwaite to step up and take control. I think it is a little too early for OBrien to take on that role. Commet the hour, commet the man. Danny O'Neill 2 Posted 25/04/2025 at 10:23:00 Neil I think that's one for the match day thread when it goes up.I take one extract from that. "Winning Menality". Beaten out of us for far to long. Fortunately some of us refused to accept no matter how much we were labelled.More positive news.To cite Bob Dylan. The times they are a changin'. Martin Farrington 3 Posted 25/04/2025 at 10:29:34 Basketball. Where all the players handle the ball ! If our penalty against column wasnt bad enough.Perhaps we could ask the league to allow us goalie in and out for next season ?Welcome to something that will frighten your hair back growing Mr Kidd 😂 Liam Mogan 4 Posted 25/04/2025 at 10:44:07 Neil 1, I think you are right about the defensive leadership vacuum. JB, for all his qualities, has been helped massively by having Tarks alongside him. Playing 2 young CBs is not something you see often, but if the alternative is the hapless Mick Kegger, then I don't think there's any other alternative. Neil Cremin 5 Posted 25/04/2025 at 10:53:53 Sorry DannyJust saw previous thread on our new investor which ended up trying to solve the worlds political problems that I decided to avoid and post my thoughts and queries elsewhere. Hence this post which was to firstly find out about Jason Kidd (who I know nothing about but seems to be a divisive character) and to get Mike Gaynes perspective.However as there was no match preview site, I decided to put my thoughts on Saturdays game to paper. After all it is an Everton Football club website. I will as you suggest, repost on the match preview whenever it come up. Alan J Thompson 6 Posted 25/04/2025 at 11:00:53 I hope somebody explains where this sport's net is but he might have some ideas on our set pieces particularly the ali oop corners to the back post, oh, and the bloke allowed to handle the ball is not called guard and it's free kicks or as a shareholder will his "incredible resource" mostly be used as inspiration in the Boardroom. Danny O'Neill 7 Posted 25/04/2025 at 11:16:17 I agree with you Neil. Now is an opportunity to see what these two excellent young players look like alongside each other.Providing he doesnt opt for Keane and keep OBrian at right back 🤨ToffeeWeb will be ToffeeWeb Neil. As entertaining as much as it can be educational.I have no concerns of Kidds background in other sports. Hes here to invest and advise.Whisper it quietly but we are starting to lay the foundations of being professionally run. Hopefully that will trickle down onto the pitch in time. Jerome Shields 8 Posted 25/04/2025 at 11:28:21 It shows how determined the Friedkin Group are imposing their preferred Culture on Everton.Anything thing that can replace effectively the previous Everton Culture is the way to go in my opinion.Has been needed for years. Joe McMahon 9 Posted 25/04/2025 at 11:40:40 I wonder if Jason Kidd knew who Everton were until a few weeks ago? Must be a good sign as we move to a different era, away from the Everton only "boys club".As long as he doesn't start singing "Grand Old Team" Danny O'Neill 10 Posted 25/04/2025 at 11:57:41 I actually like the prospect of being run by people with no Everton connections.They will learn and respect our heritage, but be looking to capitalise on our potential and future.Its going to make a few uncomfortable but no more cosy little Everton is fine by me.Joe, that song should be scrapped off our playlist. Phil Roberts 11 Posted 25/04/2025 at 12:12:49 O'Brian to RCB is the obvious.RB is the biggest question.Do you take a chance on Patterson (09 Cup final? That was where they won it) or go safe with Young as I do not think Seamus is fit.But what message does that give to Nathan?Glad that is DM's decision and we will slag him off anyway. Neil Cremin 12 Posted 25/04/2025 at 12:43:00 Phil Logical on paper maybe but not so sure it is the obvious choice. Tarks is the fulcrum that dictated how the back line operated. I have seen nothing from Branthwaite yet to see if he can assume that role. Not sure OBrien would yet command that authority. My concerns are are outlined above and don't need to be repeated. Hopefully if selected together, one of them will take on the leadership role. With PL status now safe, then surely it is time to see if Patterson is worth retaining as a RB. Jamie Lenard 13 Posted 25/04/2025 at 12:46:20 I know the arena on the Nelson Dock is 4 or 5 years down the road, but is Jason Kidd being brought on board to head up a potential Everton basketball team in the European Super League. If and when it gets built. Steve Brown 14 Posted 25/04/2025 at 13:05:55 Love the way Jason Kidd calls them the Freaking Group.LinkI will be be even more excited when we bring sports leaders in with a winning track record in football. Ron Sear 15 Posted 25/04/2025 at 14:47:16 Basketball? I can't think of a worse sport (next to horse racing) to associated with football. A ball that if kicked is a violation and the players generally restricted to people of a favourable vertical disposition. Everything about it is almost the exact opposite of what it needs to create a successful football team and I suspect Europeans would not respond well to the antics of American coaches. Bill Gall 16 Posted 25/04/2025 at 14:57:53 The problem moving O'Brian to Tarks place is we will have 2 predominately left footed players in the middle of the defence. This may work out as O'Brian has been used as a right sided full back, This leaves another problem as Patterson does not seem to be in Moyes plans. But a worse problem would be if he plays he who shall not be named as last game. Andrew Ellams 17 Posted 25/04/2025 at 15:02:31 Bill, O'Brien has done pretty well as a right footed right back for the past 4 months. Ian Bennett 18 Posted 25/04/2025 at 15:24:27 Branthwaite is right footed, but is very capable of using his left equallt as well (which adds to his value) and appears to be very happy on the left of the two.Obrien I think is predominantly right footed.Could be wrong, but I think they can play together. They lack leadership experience, but it's the way it is with Tarkowski out for the season and having an op.Can see Young or Coleman starting ahead of Patterson. Moyes won't want 3 young players at the back, away from home at Chelsea. Tbh neither do i. Mike Gaynes 19 Posted 25/04/2025 at 16:14:58 Neil, sorry I didn't see your query until just now. I had posted about Kidd on the other thread.Kidd is loved and respected across the NBA -- great player, decent coach -- and locally in Dallas for his charity work. Not divisive at all. And he has always loved soccer, second only to basketball. Played the game as a youngster and has an ownership stake in a girls soccer program in his hometown of Oakland.Personally he's had some issues -- reputed violence in his first marriage and a DUI about 13 years ago. But he cleaned up his act. Jonathan Oppenheimer 20 Posted 25/04/2025 at 21:39:29 Mike, as I posted on the other thread, I find it an issue to celebrate someone and say theyre not divisive when they admitted — not “reputed” — punching his wife. Im all for second chances and believe people grow and learn, but people who punch their wives are not people I get excited about owning my beloved club.I went looking for clarity on what happened with the domestic violence issue and found the article below, which is certainly overblown, but a journalist felt compelled to write an entire article about how “divisive” he is.https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/19596/history-of-jason-kidds-past-incidentsIm sure hes beloved by many, and his athletic accomplishments speak for themselves, but lets be clear about what happened. Ron Marr 21 Posted 25/04/2025 at 21:44:12 I worked with Jason Kidd's mother (IT/Banking) back in the day and have followed his career since he was in High School, Cal, NBA, management. The spousal abuse story is very disturbing. Tony Abrahams 22 Posted 25/04/2025 at 22:22:21 I live in a city where a lot of people become outraged when you mention why Everton, never got the chance to play in the 1986 European cup, Jonathan.The root cause of the ensuing ban was swept under the carpet from 10PM on the 29th May 1985, although it doesnt stop a lot of Liverpool fans disputing Evertons chances of winning that cup, and they have even flown flags on the kop, celebrating Steau Bukarests victory.This doesnt stop the media fawning over our neighbours, and has never stopped our neighbours from believing they are the greatest team, with the greatest supporters in the land.Its going to get even worse over the coming weeks mate, and it wouldnt surprise me if something with an Everton connection was defaced in the celebrations.I dont know much about Jason Kidd, but Im now aware he his a double Olympian? Okay he might have been playing for the team with the best players, but he has also been a successful coach and its a very long time since Everton employed real winners.Im hoping Kidds expertise will bring wisdom, because I believe you cant have enough wise men🤞(This probably explains why Ancellotti, knew he had to get away from Everton) Jeff Armstrong 23 Posted 25/04/2025 at 22:45:04 Jonathan # 20, his roll of dis-honour is disturbing, he sounds like a right cheating bar steward who also admitted punching his Mrs.He's not for me I'm afraid, not that it matters of course.I did like Brian Kidd( no relation, just thought I'd mention him) back in the day, he had a bit of swagger about him too, but this guy seems to be a bit of a twat tbh. Tony Abrahams 24 Posted 25/04/2025 at 22:56:43 I can remember calling Brian Kidd a stupid twat for getting sent off at Villa Park.But I was only 10 and my language has slightly improved since then! Colin Glassar 25 Posted 25/04/2025 at 23:42:48 I loved Brian Kidd. I actually thought he was too good for us at the time and couldn't believe our luck.Is this other Kidd related to captain Kidd, the Scottish pirate? I'm not kidding. Mike Gaynes 26 Posted 25/04/2025 at 00:19:57 Jonathan #20, there was no allegation of "punching." Kidd pleaded guilty to misdemeanor spousal abuse in 2007 and got a $200 fine and anger management classes. In 2012 he got a misdemeanor DUI. You are welcome to consider those and his well-documented gamesmanship and conflicts with coaches to be "divisive"... but I doubt you would find anyone in the NBA who agrees with you. His coaching results are the source of considerably more controversy than his past conduct. I would be very surprised if his buy-in to Everton creates any controversy within the fan base. Jonathan Oppenheimer 27 Posted 26/04/2025 at 02:02:31 Mike, I don't actually expect anyone to care that much and I certainly don't expect it to divide the fanbase. But my moral barometer is certainly never going to be whether anyone in the NBA (or any professional sport) agrees with me. I was simply making the point that I've made a couple times that I'd rather the people in leadership positions of clubs/organizations/etc that I'm a part of not be people who admit to beating their wives. Also, as a casual NBA fan, but someone who follows American sports pretty closely, I've never thought of Kidd as any sort of hero to anyone in this country. Just an odd choice as a person to bring on board for, what, £15-20M? He doesn't move the needle for me, nor do I think for anyone else.To that end, Tony 22, I guess I could get on board if I thought the guy would make even a tiny difference in taking us forward as a sporting enterprise. But I can't see for the life of me how he does that. If someone can explain to me how an American basketball star with no real die-hard supporters stateside and questionable coaching history helps us, I'm all ears. Kieran Kinsella 28 Posted 26/04/2025 at 02:11:15 Kidd is a bizarre addition but I'm assuming he's on board as he is investing money rather than because as the PR states “he has something to offer.” As a player, I thought he was overrated. As a person, as Jonathan states even more so. As a coach? Surprisingly successful but I don't see any correlation between basketball and football that his nous can benefit us. Seems to me he's like a Mandy Kaling (The Office actress hyped as Swansea owner) type rich person investing in something they don't really know or understand. Hopefully he's not looking for a quick return on his money. Eric Myles 29 Posted 26/04/2025 at 03:18:38 Kieran, "I don't see any correlation between basketball and football that his nous can benefit us."He's going to replace Moyes and be our Ted Lasso. Craig Scott 30 Posted 26/04/2025 at 03:23:37 The article states he's joining RHH as an investor. It doesn't mean he's going to be involved in any footballing matters. For those who want to sit on a moral high horse and virtue signal about investor's personal lives or business interests I wonder how precious they were when the funds for our new stadium originated from a certain Uzbek oligarch? Paul Ferry 31 Posted 26/04/2025 at 03:58:34 Ron Marr (21): The spousal abuse story is very disturbing.Absolutely Ron, but Mike Gaynes does not think that a guilty wife-beater is “divisive” and in a group of one he tries to defend the guilty wife-beater and drunk driver (come on guys, they were only misdemeanours). I'm lost for words. This is, needless to say, because the wife-beater is a Yank and for MG the more Yanks the merrier at our Texas club. Im with Jeff (23), google “Jason Kidd divisive” and youll find contrary to Mr. Gayness chirpy view of Kidds what “professionalism”, that he has a somewhat spotty record when it comes to one-on-one relations and judgment and his wife-beating and drunk driving dont even appear. He looks a lot more like the “divisive” or “problematic” figure in Jonathan and Kierans words. Danny O'Neill 32 Posted 26/04/2025 at 09:00:36 The subject that should never be mentioned Tony. They aware in denial, to the point it's like it never happened but they pathetically mock us with that banner. They must know what it means so it's selective memory for. As we say, always outraged, never embarrassed.Back to my earlier point, I'm glad that this new dawn is stepping away from the sentimental rubbish that “ran” our club for decades.Now back to them. Once we get the nauseating celebrations out of the way, standby for blue tide and rising red jealousy. Paul Ferry 33 Posted 26/04/2025 at 09:18:31 "I'm glad that this new dawn is stepping away from the sentimental rubbish that 'ran' our club for decades."Danny, beware my mate, it could tip too far the other way. How about our Sheeds on the board? Paul Davies 34 Posted 26/04/2025 at 09:21:50 Tony @22. I also think of damage the ban did to other clubs. The usual suspects aside, clubs like Wimbledon, Coventry, Forrest and even Oxford never had the chance to play in a European tournament. And they dont understand why theyre disliked! Rob Dolby 35 Posted 26/04/2025 at 11:03:46 Would you like to make some money? We are going to leverage one of the oldest football clubs in England, similar to the Glazers at Man Utd.Are you interested? "Hell, yes — where do I sign up? What are they called?"Errrm… the Everton."Never heard of them but, if it makes me money, then great — I am in!!!"Am I being too cynical? Danny O'Neill 36 Posted 26/04/2025 at 16:06:56 I don't think we need to be cynical Rob.Who, apart from the supporters isn't in football and sport not to make money?Sheedy and Souhall as fans' ambassadors Paul. They could work with the FAB.Which reminds me, I must keep checking as I want to throw my name in. I missed the window last summer. Mike Gaynes 37 Posted 28/04/2025 at 03:32:06 Imagine my surprise to see another integrity-free post from my faithful years-long obsessive, again deliberately misrepresenting my content and views and inventively expanding on them (a consistent habit).I offered no defense or "come on, guys" with regards to Kidd, just a simple recitation of the legal facts. Mr Integrity not only considers that a defense but credits it to my nationality. How charming. He even repeats his ongoing pattern of inventing words I did not use ("professionalism" is now filed away with "big club" and "huge club" and other imaginative creations). All I did was opine that Kidd's past legal issues would not prove divisive or controversial as an Everton investor, with which Jonathan essentially agreed. My only editorial comment on Kidd was, and I quote: "Actually, I have no idea what he brings. Except a little celebrity power. And maybe he can help Alcaraz with his passing."As to whether Kidd is a respected figure in the professional sports world, you don't have to take my word for it (although I did cover the NBA as a journalist during Kidd's early career). Our executive chairman's statement certainly endorses the idea. And I doubt Friedkin would accept an investment he doesn't financially need from a celebrity he didn't respect. I eagerly await the next burst of invention from Mr Integrity… Paul Ferry 38 Posted 28/04/2025 at 06:28:45 Ah, surprised that the fella with his soft touch on domestic violence and drunk driving - they were only misdemeanours - in this case of a TFG Yank would have the gall to return to this thread. The length of this 'defence' is always a giveaway.'Obsessive'. Nah lad. I reply to anyone who writes the sort of stuff like it was only misdemeanours guys. It so happens that you do it with some regularity.Would you care to explain how this your latest nutty rant began when, along with others you called idiots and drunk, I called you out for your nutty claim that DCL had never scored 'a great goal' for us and your bizarre response. Before that it was all 'PF how much did that sandwich cost' and 'PF do they do takeout'.But now we're back to the touchy transparent can't take criticism corrector-in-chief. People like this called out and on the defensive always lash out. It's obsessive predictable behaviour. Next time you come out with something similar rest assured that I will respond.Thankfully I'm off for two days to give a lecture and graduate class at Berkeley. I can concentrate on things that really matter for me and not your shite and have an exclusively academic two days. Perhaps by Wednesday you might have cooled down oh King of sensitivity and I can't take it but heck yeah man you bet I'll give it out bro. Mark Murphy 39 Posted 28/04/2025 at 07:38:48 Paul, please, let it go.Sincerely. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb