Alisher Usmanov and Fahrad Moshiri – Everton’s Business Model Explained

Alisher Usmanov and Fahrad Moshiri – Everton’s Business Model Explained

The Esk –

Following Manuel Veth’s article on the potential for Alisher Usmanov to be involved in Farhad Moshiri’s current 49.9% shareholding in Everton FC, I contacted the team of the Futbolgrad Network with an alternative view. As a result, we spent an entertaining hour exchanging views which can be heard here:

There are essentially three premises here:

  1. that Moshiri has acquired his shareholding in Everton in his own right and has his own development plans for the future including investment in the team, creating a pipeline of future players through the excellent academy, improving the commercial performance of the club, and building a new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey,
  2. that Alisher Usmanov will dispose of his Arsenal shares and join his great friend and business partner Moshiri in making Everton a powerful force in European football once more, or
  3. by use of methods established and common in Russia and perhaps several clubs across Europe create a system of dual ownership/influence and investment that satisfies the stricter regulatory regime of the Premier League and UEFA.

Perhaps it’s easiest to deal with point (2) first.

It’s my belief that Usmanov will not dispose of his Arsenal shares held in Red & White Holdings. I say this for a number of reasons. Firstly, he has stated publicly that it is his intent to hold his shares, for his family to enjoy in future generations.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the sequence of events last February (2016) which led to Moshiri selling his R&W holdings to Alisher Usmanov do not sit with the view that Usmanov’s intent has been to dispose of his AFC interests and invest in Everton. Had that been his intent, the more logical sequence of events would have been for Moshiri to acquire Usmanov’s shares, freeing Usmanov to invest in Everton and begin his investment programme that would have surely followed.

Finally, it has to be recognised that there are real practical difficulties in Usmanov disposing of his Arsenal holdings given Stan Kroenke’s controlling interest and his total disregard for minority shareholder interests. Kroenke is not a buyer of Alisher Usmanov’s holding as clearly it provides him with no greater control at Arsenal (he already has that) and it frees up Usmanov to compete with Arsenal at a time when the club is less settled than it has for more than two decades.

The question is whether Farhad Moshiri is acting independent from Alisher Usmanov

Therefore, for me the question is whether or not Moshiri funds Everton’s development alone or with the compliant financial assistance from Usmanov’s (and his own, to be fair) corporate interests—USM Holding, Megafon etc.

To date Moshiri has spent £87 million in acquiring his 49.9% shareholding in Everton, and has options agreements on an additional 23% which based on the initial valuation could cost him and additional £40 million to exercise.

In addition to the initial share purchase Moshiri has provided £80 million in loans to repair Everton’s balance sheet, wiping out long term secured debt, and the shorter term pre-payment of broadcasting revenues due from the Premier League. Additionally, his loan provided working capital to pay for the exceptional costs of removing Martinez and his coaching team, bringing in Koeman from Southampton.

Although not officially confirmed by the club, it is believed he has provided further funding in January 2017 as the club prepares to acquire land on the old Liverpool dock site of Bramley Moore Dock in preparation of a likely 55-60,000 seat stadium designed by the globally renowned stadium architect Dan Meis.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder talks to Alisher Usmanov (L), President of the International Fencing Federation during the IOC President Thomas Bach's 60th Birthday party at Stadthalle on January 10, 2014 in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder talks to Alisher Usmanov (L), President of the International Fencing Federation during the IOC President Thomas Bach’s 60th Birthday party at Stadthalle on January 10, 2014 in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

The costs of the land acquisition and stadium build are estimated to be in the region of £300-500 million.

Although by almost all standards, Moshiri is to be considered a wealthy man (Forbes 2017 value his net worth at $2.4 billion) it is difficult to see how Moshiri can fund this size of development without looking for third party support.

Alisher Usmanov could provide commercial support to the club

This perhaps is where the Alisher Usmanov interests will lie in the future. USM have already been announced as naming rights partners for Everton’s training ground Finch Farm, now named USM Finch Farm, and have acquired additional advertising rights around the pitch side at Goodison. The precise value of this deal is still difficult to establish as it is tied into the announcement that included a new shirt sponsorship package providing in total £75 million over 5 years. The shirt sponsor is yet to be disclosed, and is due any time. The package is a considerable uplift on the previous sponsorship arrangements with Chang, the Thai brewer, but still pales into relative insignificance when compared to the Manchester United and Chelsea deals for example.

Furthermore, they go little way towards the stadium costs, and importantly the anticipated increases in future wage levels as Everton continue their attempt on breaking into the Champions League qualification spots.

Thus with a new stadium to be paid for, and greater investment on the pitch, there is huge scope for greater involvement financially from Usmanov controlled companies. Given the precedent set elsewhere, and the evidence provided both in Russia and in Europe, it is not unreasonable to expect this form of financial assistance through advertising and sponsorship.

Everton are the last great re-development opportunity in the English Premier League

I have described Everton as the “last great re-development opportunity” in the English Premier League. Moshiri has provided the initial funding, ambition and expertise to start that re-development, and his progress in less than 12 months is startling—a repaired balance sheet, huge progress on the new stadium, a completely new management team and coaching/recruitment structure, plus significant investment in the playing squad.

Now however, there is a greater need for really substantial investment to build the stadium, improve the team further on the pitch, and provide the investment required to turn around Everton’s commercial performance. The evidence is that USM and other companies in common ownership, with Usmanov’s approval, is providing a significant element of that funding, with more to come.

It is a hugely interesting and exciting time to be an Evertonian, it’s equally fascinating to see Oligarchs work their particular business models to provide innovative but compliant funding allowing maximum exposure to the riches of the Premier League.

https://www.patreon.com/futbolgrad

The Esk ife long toffee and occasional writer and commentator about Everton and the business of football. Follow him on Twitter @theesk

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 2
  • comment-avatar
    Joseph o Brien 5 years

    Do you still hold the same opinions in light of recent events
    It seems to me you have been totally wrong on all things Usmanov related

  • comment-avatar
    Paul the esk 5 years

    I think the big change not covered in this article and what ultimately led to Usmanov’s disposal of his Arsenal shares is the significant and continuing deterioration in Russian/UK relationships. It’s clear that there is a repatriation of funds from London back to Russia.

    Usmanov whilst expressing a willingness to “help” his friend Moshiri has commented on the political difficulties of doing so. It seems inconceivable that Usmanov, as one of Putin’s greatest allies, would invest in a large capital project in the UK in the current climate.

    Therefore I stand by view that Moshiri will find financing elsewhere.

  • DISQUS: 0