Hibernian, a top-tier Scottish soccer team, has received approval to go forward with an investment from the group that controls Bournemouth, a Premier League club.



With the club’s dual interest dispensation request accepted, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) board has moved forward. A proposal from the Black Knights will now move Hibs forward.



Hibs’ “dual interest dispensation request” necessitated approval due to Article 13 of the SFA’s regulations regarding club ownership.



In addition to its 30 percent ownership in French Ligue 1 club Lorient, it holds the bulk of Bournemouth’s stock. The firm is also the proud owner of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL).



The group led by American Bill Foley reportedly offered $7.6 million to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/scottish-premiership-tv-schedule/">Scottish Premiership</a> team. Members of the late chairman Ron Gordon’s family living in the United States control a majority stake in the club.



“The club now has an agreement in principle with Black Knight Football Club for minority investment into Hibernian. This decision came after a number of meetings between the two parties, alongside the club agreeing to certain undertakings and commitments at the request of the governing body”, <a href="https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/club-statement-dual-interest-dispensation-request" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Hibs said in a statement.</a>



<h2>What did Gordons’ family say?</h2>



Details of the approval’s stipulations were made public by the Scottish FA. Some of these restrictions include the fact that Black Knight’s ownership stake cannot be more than 29.9 percent. The agreement allows Hibs to participate in European competitions despite the conflicting interests of the involved parties.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240201_WST_486681_Bill-Foley-Hibs-1200x670_a087739b.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="Bill Fo" class="wp-image-486719" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Bill-Foley-Hibs-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Bill-Foley-Hibs-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Bill-Foley-Hibs-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Bill-Foley-Hibs.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Indeed, Foley and his firm have reportedly been engaged in discussions with the Gordon family for several months. After Ron Gordon’s passing last year, his son Ian and wife Kitty assumed top board positions, including chairman.



“The Gordon family are excited that the Scottish FA has approved the minority investment proposal. Ron’s vision, and long-term plan, included bringing in a minority partner, like Black Knight, which would help us achieve our goals.



“We share the same values and ambitions as Black Knight in our partnership. Our continued commitment to building a winning and successful club is unwavering”, as stated in the Gordons’ statement.



<h2>Life-long dream of Bournemouth owner to add Hibernian</h2>



Foley is eager to grow a sports empire that has a Las Vegas ice hockey franchise, French and Australian clubs, and an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">English Premier League</a> team.



The 79-year-old millionaire from Texas has already expressed his desire to see a worldwide league of soccer teams. There, they would pool their resources and expertise to improve their results in every market where they compete.



“I believe we could end up with four or five economic interests in clubs. We would then have a system in place for players to advance and move on to the next club, then the next club.



“We will have similar analytics staff in place, and technical directors, to look for the right type of players who can ultimately play for AFC Bournemouth”, he said last October.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Bournemouth's US owner gets approval to invest in  Scottish club

Hibernian, a top-tier Scottish soccer team, has received approval for an investment from an American group that owns Bournemouth.

Bournemouth's US owner gets approval to invest in Scottish club

American businessman Bill Foley is currently exploring the possibility to purchase stake in Scottish side Hibernian. The Edinburgh-based club is currently owned by United States investment group Bydand Sports. However, the company’s founder, Ron Gordon, passed away in February and his family is looking for other potential investors.



While Gordon’s family is seeking new investors in the team, they want to remain majority owners. This does not seem to bother Foley. The businessman recently went on the popular Men in Blazers podcast to discuss various topics. In the interview, Foley admitted that he was extremely interested in Scottish soccer.



“I’m fascinated by the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/scottish-premiership-tv-schedule/">Scottish Premier League</a> (SPL). They play hard, Scots are tough,” <a href="https://wondery.com/shows/men-in-blazers/episode/10718-men-in-blazers-092523-bill-foley-pod-special/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Foley in the interview. “They play a tough brand of football. And I believe there are opportunities to make one of the number four, five, or six SPL teams, to get them to number three and they play in Europe.”



“I believe we can pull that off with not a gigantic investment – and be a minority investor, be supportive of that club, and then work on sponsorship together because we have a whole sponsorship and I know we can help an SPL team. We’re working towards that goal right now with a particular team.”



<h2>Foley has set up partnership with EPL and Ligue 1 teams</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231102_WST_466697_Foley-Bournemouth-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-466827" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Foley-Bournemouth-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Foley-Bournemouth-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Foley-Bournemouth-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Foley-Bournemouth.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Bill Foley has set up connections with other clubs for Bournemouth, and Hibs could be the latest.</figcaption></figure>



Foley never specifically named Hibs in the interview. Still, multiple <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/clm0m7x7y0xo.amp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> suggest it is the Scottish team the American has an interest in. Foley, 78, previously <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/foley-claims-bournemouth-was-a-bargain-compared-to-mls-teams-20221217-WST-412601.html">purchased</a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> club Bournemouth in late 2022. He, however, began investing in sports teams back in 2016. The National Hockey League awarded Foley an expansion franchise with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights collected the Stanley Cup trophy back in June.



Along with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bournemouth-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Bournemouth</a>, Foley and his partners also acquired a minority stake in French club Lorient in January of 2023. Although the American only owns a small percentage of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ligue-un-tv-schedule/">Ligue 1</a> side, he has set up a partnership between the team and Bournemouth. This will allow players that may not yet be ready to play in the Premier League the opportunity to first feature in France.



<h2>Bill Foley targets Hibernian among other teams across the world</h2>



Foley also admitted on the podcast that he would not stop in Scotland. The businessman claimed that he already has eyes on other teams around the world. “Then we have our sights set on some other clubs. And I believe we could end up with four or five economic interests in clubs,” continued Foley. “We would then have a system in place for players to advance and move on to the next club, then the next club.”



After potentially purchasing stake in Hibs, Foley may turn his attention Down Under. The American will soon receive an <a href="https://theathletic.com/4904897/2023/10/10/bill-foley-auckland-a-league/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion franchise</a> in the Australian A-League. The team is, however, to be based in Auckland, New Zealand. 



Oddly enough, the city previously had a soccer club named the Knights. They were the only professional soccer team in the country before becoming defunct in 2007. After grabbing the new franchise, <a href="https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/11/02/bournemouth-owner-bill-foley-opens-talks-piece-hibs-builds-club-ownerships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> suggest that Foley would then continue his soccer team search in South America. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Bournemouth's American owner wants to invest in Hibernian

American businessman Bill Foley is looking to add to his soccer club portfolio by investing in Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Hibernian"

Bournemouth

Bournemouth's US owner gets approval to invest in Scottish club

Bournemouth

Bournemouth's American owner wants to invest in Hibernian