English soccer club unrest complicates Texas billionaire's growing sports empire

Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin, through his company The Friedkin Group, is actively involved in various sports investments across two continents. The group is currently in discussions with representatives from Houston and Austin regarding the potential establishment of an NHL team in either city by the end of 2026. However, Friedkin may also be considering selling a minority stake in Everton Football Club, a Premier League team, to strategic investors who can help improve the club's performance.

Everton has recently faced significant challenges, including a disastrous summer transfer window that led to the departure of multiple top players and the acquisition of less desirable ones. The club now has only 18 outfield players, with a notably weak squad. This has resulted in criticism from former Everton executives, who believe that a full sale of the club is a possibility due to its current struggles.

If a sale were to occur, it is estimated that the club could be worth around $930 million, based on financial metrics from Forbes. Considering the recently completed 53,000-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton could potentially fetch over $1 billion in a sale. This would provide a substantial influx of cash for The Friedkin Group, which already owns AS Roma in Italy's Serie A and AS Cannes in France's third division.

While it is uncertain whether a minority or majority stake sale would impact The Friedkin Group's ability to fulfill their commitment to bring an NHL team to Texas, the company's financial health is strong, with a fiscal year 2024 revenue of $13.3 billion. The automotive distribution business is a key driver of this success, suggesting that a potential Everton sale would not significantly affect their NHL plans.