FSG set for HUGE $100 million saving at the taxpayer's expense

Liverpool’s ownership has been a contentious topic among supporters for the last few years.

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Although the Reds have won almost every trophy possible since being taken over by Fenway Sports Group, the American owners are still deeply unpopular with some portions of the fanbase.

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Issues such as a lack of investment, the European Super League and an increase in ticket prices have caused a divide in opinion on FSG among the Anfield faithful, and the group’s endeavours outside of football have also been of interest to Liverpool supporters.

Now, after spending nothing in the January transfer window, it has been revealed that FSG are set to save millions on one of their sporting ventures thanks to the taxpayer.

FSG partner set to save millions

As well as owning Liverpool FC, FSG are also the owners of the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins and part owners of RFK Racing.

It is a new venture for one of FSG’s partners, Linda Pizzuti Henry, that is causing a stir over the pond however.

Linda, wife of FSG owner John Henry, is part of an investment group currently involved in a plan to renovate Boston’s White Stadium for a new professional women’s football team.

The project is a public-private project, meaning it is half funded by the City of Boston and half by the private investment group.

According to a report by the Boston Herald, the Boston taxpayer is already on the hook for roughly $100 million to pay for the project.

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The issues with Linda Pizzuti Henry’s new project

Boston’s Mayor, Michelle Wu, has urged that the project will benefit Boston Public School students as well as the wider community, but a lawsuit has been filed claiming that the proposed use of the stadium would illegally privatize public trust land.

Mayor Wu has denied this claim, urging that the city and Boston Public Schools (BPS) would maintain ownership of the facility through a lease agreement and that use would be shared between the new pro women’s football team and BPS student-athletes.

Those who oppose the plans for White Stadium have also pointed out that tax payers are being asked to pay roughly $100 million for the refurbishments, whilst a larger pro football stadium for the New England Revolution is being 100% privately funded elsewhere in the state.

The difference between the two projects is that the Kraft group, who own New England Revolution, pitched a privately funded plan to redevelop blighted land and the White Stadium redevelopment is a project led by the City of Boston that included a public bid process.

How does this affect Liverpool?

Although the outcome of the White Stadium refurbishment won’t directly affect the Merseyside club, it is indicative of a bigger issue that could.

FSG have shown that they are willing to splash the cash, but there hasn’t really been evidence of that at Liverpool in recent years.

The Boston based investment group were recently involved in negotiations over a $700 million deal for Juan Soto and, although the deal didn’t go through, this got Liverpool fans talking.

There have also been reports of a potential bid from FSG to buy the Boston Celtics, an NBA franchise that could cost upwards of $6 billion.

If FSG continue to spend big elsewhere without splashing the cash on Liverpool, unrest may begin to grow amongst supporters.

Three of the club’s biggest stars, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are out of contract in the summer and new deals don’t appear to be imminent for any of the trio.

On top of that Liverpool’s spending over the past few seasons has been a level below some of their closest rivals, and if FSG continue to neglect the club financially whilst still spending big on other investments, their position as Liverpool’s owners may be called into question.

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It remains to be seen whether FSG will invest big with Liverpool in the coming months, but it looks like investment will be needed and supporters may turn on the American group if Liverpool are left under-funded and other projects continue to take priority.

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