Latest news with #HeartOfMidlothian
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Billionaire Brighton owner Tony Bloom buys stake in Scottish soccer club Hearts
Brighton and Hove Albion owner Anthony Bloom and his wife Linda in the stands just before kick off of the the English FA Cup semifinal between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, April 23, 2023 (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Brighton soccer club's billionaire owner Tony Bloom invested in Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday, aiming to revive another unheralded team. The former professional poker player is seen as one of the smartest investors in European soccer helping lift his hometown club Brighton and current Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise to unexpected success with data-driven research and management. Advertisement Hearts said Bloom paid 9.86 million pounds ($13.4 million) for 'a 29% stake in the club in non-voting shares.' The size of Bloom's minority stake should be within the UEFA-set threshold to comply with rules designed to protect the integrity of European competitions when clubs in shared ownership both qualify. UEFA required Bloom to reduce his stake and decision-making influence at Union in 2023 when the club from Brussels joined Brighton in qualifying for the second-tier Europa League. Union won its first Belgian league title in 90 years this season and will make its debut in the Champions League main phase. Brighton missed qualifying for UEFA competitions by one place finishing eighth in the Premier League. Advertisement Hearts played in the third-tier Conference League last season but did not qualify for any European competition next season after placing seventh in the Scottish league. The Edinburgh club won the last of its four titles in 1960 in a league now monopolized by Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers. They have combined to win the last 40 titles. 'I am absolutely thrilled to be investing in Hearts,' Bloom said in a club statement. 'I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long.' Hearts has been runner-up five times since 1960, most famously in 1986 after leading the standings for months. Hearts lost on the last day by conceding two late goals at Dundee and was overtaken by Celtic. ___ AP soccer:
CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Brighton owner Bloom acquires stake in Scottish club Hearts
Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has invested 9.86 million pounds ($13.41 million) to acquire a 29 per cent stake in Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish Premiership club said on Wednesday. Bloom's stake will be in non-voting shares and he has nominated James Franks, a long-time business consultant with experience of football governance, to join the club's board as a non-executive director. "I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long," Bloom said in a statement. "The appointment of James as my representative on the board underlines the importance I attach to my investment in the club. "James has been a trusted associate of mine for many years and I believe that his wealth of experience in the football industry and strong business acumen will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the club." Hearts finished seventh in the Premiership last season, reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals and played in the league phase of the Conference League. Bloom is also an investor in Belgian Pro League team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who ended their 90-year wait for the league title in the 2024-25 season. In March, he also reached an agreement to acquire an initial 19.1 per cent stake in Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. ($1 = 0.7351 pounds)
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Brighton owner Bloom acquires stake in Scottish club Hearts
June 25 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has invested 9.86 million pounds ($13.41 million) to acquire a 29% stake in Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish Premiership club said on Wednesday. Bloom's stake will be in non-voting shares and he has nominated James Franks, a long-time business consultant with experience of football governance, to join the club's board as a non-executive director. "I firmly believe in the club's ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long," Bloom said in a statement. "The appointment of James as my representative on the board underlines the importance I attach to my investment in the club. "James has been a trusted associate of mine for many years and I believe that his wealth of experience in the football industry and strong business acumen will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the club." Hearts finished seventh in the Premiership last season, reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals and played in the league phase of the Conference League. Bloom is also an investor in Belgian Pro League team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who ended their 90-year wait for the league title in the 2024-25 season. In March, he also reached an agreement to acquire an initial 19.1% stake in Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory. ($1 = 0.7351 pounds)
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Chesnokov signs pre-contract with Hearts
Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov has signed a pre-contract agreement with Heart of Midlothian, who are now in talks with Tobol Kostanay over a transfer fee, but the Kazakh club are reluctant to allow the 25-year-old to leave before his deal with them expires at the end of October. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), externalRead Wednesday's Scottish gossip
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hearts set to miss out on striker'
Heart of Midlothian look set to lose out to Alanyaspor in the fight for Uchenna Ogundu after holding talks with the 19-year-old Sanliurfaspor striker and making an offer. (Daily Record), externalRead Monday's gossip column in full.
