Considering he trawls this forum for article ideas, it’s very little surprise he wouldn’t give you any credit for finding that document. I guess he needs to prove to his Athletic paymasters he’s worth it. To think he was so good on Sky Sports News.
Some quite serious talking up of outlandish sums being attracted for seemingly quite little reward (on the part of the ex machina saviour/investor), but A) We are not West Ham - our fanbase is nowhere near the size, we are not historically on the same level, we don't have a giant brand new taxpayer-milked stadium to call home, and we are not currently challenging for and playing in Europe, and B) This apparent tactic relies extremely strongly on us at the very least remaining in the Premier League to even begin to claim we are an attractive proposition for the miraculous outside investment we haven't managed to attract at any point over the last three years or so; even more so with the increased US TV deal money that was just announced - I highly doubt anyone's coming in with £500m for 6.7% of the club and a guaranteed box for half of all home games, for a club in the Championship that's just lost all of their major playing assets for half their true value having suffered a second relegation in three seasons.
How much is owed to Gino or is it an implication/ understanding that he has paid off the £85m - certainly we know Barclays and XIii capital (£70m loan ) have released their security
Unless the answer is 'screenshot and then copy-paste' I'm afraid I'm not that much use to you, but does this go any way to answering your question?
Don’t trust Leventhal or Duxbury. Let’s not forget Duxbury once declared we had no external debt because it was owed to holding company which had external debt!
100%. The £75.8m quoted was not owed to Gino Pozzo via Hornets Investment Ltd "HIL" -that company had been lent £70m by XXIII Capital. Gino's company had lent £8m to HIL and as you rightly say the total of loans taken out by HIL was on lent to the football club. Gino had £8m in loans not £75.8m This is all nearly 18 months old since when we are back in PL and the financial year ended 30/6/21 has occurred -those accounts when published may shed some light on how we have manged to pay off both Barclays and XXiii Capital either via the new £50m loan and/or more money lent by Gino.
The dream is over for him buying into the club -he has got to pay back the £78m he got for his pay -off https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59684996
The Athletic/Leventhal have released an article about a Mexican businessman/group looking to invest in an English or Spanish side. Alejandro Irraragorri/Orlegi Sports Group is worth £400m. Was interested in Leeds when they were in the Championship - but got distracted by bidding for Newcastle and missed the chance. Newcastle fell through due to ‘difficulties’ with lawyers - but the guy speaks highly of Mike Ashley! Then comes us…. Sounds like Gino priced him out? That’s what I thought - but then at the end of the article the Mexican businessman says he is only looking for a controlling stake as ‘businesses who don’t have one single controlling entity won’t get far’. Says he wouldn’t need 100% but would want control. But he is open to merge with existing ownership that have the same strategy and are in line with the way his group manage things. So… What it doesn’t say is when these discussions took place or give any valuation or percentages on offer. But I guess at least it shows Gino is open to the idea of investment at the very least - but it does seem to rule out the idea of him selling….unless he values the club too highly for investors.
Duxbury was touting for it in the business media wasn't he around the time of the cup final? I think they're open to it but as you say I bet the price isn't cheap and I can't see Pozzo giving up a controlling stake.
I've read the piece with interest, but unless these two are aligned in their thinking (Pozzo and Orlegi Sports Group) then I can't see it happening. The Pozzo's would have to be in control, I can't see them giving that up and it seems Orlegi wouldn't want that “We need to have control, because this is a business in which if you don’t have one single entity controlling the asset you’re not going to get far,” says Irarragorri. “That doesn’t mean that you need to own 100 per cent, but you need to have control". Talks have been held, so it's certainly something that could happen I suppose, or why else the talks. The comment "You never know, that might make sense.” sounds to me that it's their call to go ahead rather than the Pozzo's being closed to it. Having said all that, the group are only worth £400m. Ok, that's more than the Pozzo's have, but it's not a large pot of wealth to tap into, but the final comment left me thinking Watford are very high on their list “If you asked me if we are more like Man City, in that sense, or more like the Pozzo family? Definitely, we’re more like the Pozzo family,” he says.
£400m is not nearly enough, you need an owner that can lose £200m without even flinching. £400m is a peasant even as Champinonship owner.
True Yes, but an owner or major shareholder who puts the structure of the team above resale value might be quite nice.
As a long term investor - you probably want someone who will be able to buy Gino out - Actually Red Bull would be ideal, with their interests in Brazil and presumably with two Germanic teams, the hot dogs at the Vic would improve. Being part of a group probably suits our status as a Premier League minnow. If you have a hankering to buy a club you can build into a Premier League force as a single unit, you probably are looking at a club like Derby, Sunderland or more likely Nottingham Forest. Until Gino no longer sees a path that makes him the money he wants out of owning Watford, i cant see him giving up a majority stake. So i think its all pretty much wishing thinking if we are looking for a mega investor.
Or does he take over Udinese 100% when his father decides to take a back seat & agree to sell or relinquish total control at WFC then?
They bought us from the red hat when we were in the championship, if they can’t sell us for a decent profit it would just show how un-realistic running football clubs as a business and making money out of it is!
Borrowed against the money Udinese were going to pay us for Success, classic Ponzos. https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1505948329473097728?s=20&t=F2znEk1tWUBa-M-KxYnZsg
Classic good husbandry. Move along folks, nothing to see here besides business being done, the good and proper way.
Yay, another loan. Probably getting some cash in so Duxbury can have a fat bonus for his outstanding work over the last financial year.