New Swans owners set out an American dream
Swansea City’s £100m US takeover has been confirmed, with the new owners promising to work closely with the Supporters’ Trust as they take charge at the Liberty.
The new owners, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, published an open letter on the club’s website last night in which they outline the reasons behind their decision to make a move for the Liberty Stadium.
A press conference had been due to take place earlier in the day to make the announcement official, but after a number of delays it was eventually cancelled, with the reason given being a legal dispute between two shareholders, which had not yet been finally ironed out.
But that was conclusively resolved and Swansea City were able to announce shortly after 8.30pm that the deal had gone through, heralding what supporters will firmly hope can be an exciting new era.
The open letter to fans reveals the pair wanted to come to Swansea both because of the “team’s distinctive style of play” and the “intensity of the relationship between the fans and the football team”.
It says chairman Huw Jenkins was also a key factor in what attracted them to the Liberty, adding that he would continue to play a key role at the club.
And Levien and Kaplan also pledged to work with the Supporters’ Trust – adding that ticket prices would remain unchanged for the “foreseeable future”.
Other highlights from the letter include:
The duo elaborating on why they chose the Swans, sighting ‘a particular style of football on the pitch that we believe will give rise to sustainable long-term success.’
Kaplan and Levien’s deep admiration for the club’s remarkable turnaround in fortunes following nearoblivion in 2003.
That ‘priority one, two and three’ is the performance of the team on the pitch and that it is the new owner’s intent to secure the long-term Premier League status of the club.
And that Huw Jenkins will remain a central figure at the club going forward.
The open letter in full: Pages 50&51