‘Fans must embrace dream bid for Pompey’
PORTSMOUTH fans are being warned they could miss out on a ‘dream ticket’ that could potentially propel them back to the Premier League.
The south coast club received a takeover bid this week from former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner, one of the world’s richest men, worth an estimated $1.5billion.
The club have entered into exclusive talks with Eisner.
A 70-day negotiation and due diligence period between the parties is under way, with the American understood to be eager to take control in time to oversee summer signings.
The club have been fan-owned since exiting administration in 2013, with the Pompey Supporters’ Trust owning 48 per cent of their shares.
While the mainstream of supporters are excited at the news, a section within the trust are understood to be sceptical of giving up ownership to another single owner.
Seventy-five per cent of the overall shareholding need to vote in favour for the offer to go through.
Fans will seek reassurances regarding Eisner’s plans, as the American has no previous experience of running a football team, having worked in TV and film studios such as ABC and Paramount for most of his career.
But he did have successful spells when owning the Anaheim Ducks and Angels (ice hockey and baseball), winning both the Stanley Cup and World Series.
Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin said: ‘Everyone at Pompey should be proud of where we are; debt-free, stabilised financially. We own Fratton Park and have built an incredible training ground.
‘It is obvious we are an attractive proposition and that shows what a great job the fans and everyone here have done.
‘Michael’s interest could potentially be the dream ticket in our desire to progress up the League pyramid, and aligned with his financial wealth, community ethos, business acumen and history of dealing with the public, will definitely give shareholders and fans a lot to think about before voting.’