Latest news with #MarcWatts
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How Jason Kidd became part of Everton's ownership
'An incredible resource for the club.' Those were the words of Everton's executive-chair Marc Watts last week after Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was added to the Premier League club's ownership group. In doing so, Kidd, an NBA great, became the latest American sporting star to invest in English soccer, following in the footsteps of NFL duo Tom Brady (Birmingham City) and JJ Watt (Burnley). But why has Kidd, 52, chosen to get involved with Everton? And what kind of role will he take on with the Merseyside club who have U.S. based owners in The Friedkin Group? The Athletic takes a look at what to expect from the partnership. Kidd is beloved by the current crop of NBA stars. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who spent much of his childhood in New Jersey, watched him lead the Nets to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 and has said he idolised his now head coach. Kidd didn't have the cultural impact of guards such as Allen Iverson or Stephen Curry, but he is an undeniably great and admired player. With the U.S., he won Olympic gold in 2000 and 2008 in Sydney and Beijing and is revered for those achievements. He's third on the NBA's career steals and assists list and won a championship with the Mavericks in 2011. In 2021, Kidd rejoined the Mavericks for a third stint with the team. The Mavericks have made two deep playoff runs with him as head coach, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2024. Advertisement Kidd is an intense competitor, but he's rarely fiery. He speaks in a quiet voice. He's a brilliant basketball mind, but he doesn't love to delve into the tactical Xs and Os — at least not with the media. There's a sense he enjoys playing mind games sometimes. During the NBA Finals last year, Kidd said Jaylen Brown was the Boston Celtics' best player. It was hard not to read that as an attempt to mess with Jayson Tatum's head. It didn't work. The Mavericks lost to the Celtics in five games. In 2001, he was arrested for hitting his then-wife Joumana. 'I love my wife. I love my family,' Kidd said at the time. 'This is a situation that is embarrassing to me, to my family, my friends and also to the Phoenix Suns. I apologize for that and at this time that is pretty much all I can say.' He pleaded guilty to spousal abuse, was fined $200 and attended six months of anger management classes. When the Mavericks hired him as head coach in 2021, the team's then-CEO Cynt Marshall spoke to him about the domestic violence incident in his past and 'didn't find any reason not to hire him,' according to the Dallas Morning News. In 2013, Kidd pleaded guilty to drunk driving after he drove into a utility pole while intoxicated. Kidd was suspended for two games. 'It is not difficult being responsible,' Kidd told 'I take full responsibility for my accident and you learn from it. But hopefully others will too and that is the way I look at it.' Kidd made $188million (£140m) in career earnings, according to HoopsHype. He's now one of the NBA's better-paid coaches, clearing $10m per year, according to Sportico. So not mega wealthy by Premier League standards, but certainly worth enough for this kind of minor stake in Everton. From an investment standpoint, the Mavericks head coach has been keen on football for some time. He owns stakes in minor league American club, the Oakland Roots and Soul Club. Advertisement The Athletic reported last winter that Kidd was part of a group that sought to purchase a stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace and he remained keen on an investment in English football's top flight. In a video released on Everton's official site, Kidd said he had been watching Everton from afar on TV and was looking forward to visiting the club's new £800million stadium, which is set to host Premier League games from next August. 'I'm honoured to be joining Everton's ownership at such an important moment: with a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it's a great moment to come on board.'@RealJasonKidd 💙 — Everton in the USA (@EvertonInUSA) April 24, 2025 'Seeing it on TV gives me goosebumps but I can't wait to be there at the new stadium in person. I'm so excited,' he said. The video, put together with the help of the Mavericks' media team, saw Kidd adorn a replica shirt from Everton's FA Cup final win in 1995 — their last major trophy. That was organised unprompted by Kidd and Mavericks — a gesture that will not have gone unnoticed on Merseyside or at TFG's headquarters in Houston. In his interview with Everton's official channel, Kidd spoke about the 'global appeal of soccer' and noted that Everton have fans 'everywhere', including in the U.S. Former USMNT players Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Joe-Max Moore and Preki have all played for the Merseyside club. 'Everton is historic, lively, passionate — and that's who I am', Kidd said. Kidd has known TFG's owner and CEO Dan Friedkin for some time — the pair mix in the same Texan circles and go for coffee together regularly in Dallas. In his video, Kidd called TFG 'winners.' 'Everton couldn't have a better owner,' he added. Kidd's stake in Roundhouse, the vehicle through which Houston-based The Friedkin Group (TFG) owns Everton, is on the small side, even in comparison to fellow new addition Christopher Sarofim, a US businessman based out of Texas. As such, it is well below the limit required to trigger Premier League approval. Put simply, as a company boasting annual revenues of $13billion (£10bn), TFG does not appear to need his money. The group has, however, had many conversations with potential investors and prioritised people with certain skills or expertise. Watts said he expects Kidd to 'bring a deeper understanding of high performance'. Two other words stuck out from the Everton exec-chair's statement about Kidd becoming a minority investor at the club: 'winning mentality.' Kidd is a warrior and a winner. He played in 75 or more games 13 times in his 19-year NBA career. He played through bumps, bruises and discomfort, and he took incredible care of his body. Advertisement He was at the peak of his powers when he took the Nets to the Finals in 2002 and 2003, and was a member of the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic 'Redeem Team' alongside LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. In 2011, he was one of the complementary pieces surrounding Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavericks' championship-winning team. It was notable in his video that Kidd reserved praise for Everton manager David Moyes, calling him 'the right man' for the job. Kidd's financial contribution will be relatively small in Premier League terms and there will be no change to the overall ownership or day-to-day running of Everton. Unlike fellow Roundhouse newcomer Sarofim, whose family business Fayez Sarofim and Co manages around $30billion in assets, he will not be joining the Everton board as an observer. While Sarofim, as a high-net-worth individual, is likely to help the club access capital, as well as providing financial and commercial expertise, there is a sense that having a high-profile American sports figure like Kidd on board will be good for the Everton brand stateside — a priority for the Houston-based TFG early in its tenure. The announcement of his involvement in Everton gained significant national media traction in the US. The club will take part in the Premier League's Summer Series, playing games in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta, as part of that same drive. With the Sarofim family possessing a minority stake in the Houston Texans of the NFL, Everton now have links to two major Texas sporting franchises. There should be potential opportunities for collaboration, particularly on the content side with the Mavericks.
France 24
24-04-2025
- Business
- France 24
Dallas coach Kidd joins Everton ownership group
Kidd has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings, part of the Friedkin Group which took control of the Merseyside club in December. "I'm honoured to be joining Everton's ownership at such an important moment: with a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it's a great moment to come on board," said Kidd in a statement released by Everton. Kidd is a 10-time NBA All Star who won the NBA championship with the Mavs in 2011 and was also a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the USA national team. After coaching at the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks he took over at Dallas in 2021. "As one of the NBA's greatest players and now a successful coach, his knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource for Everton," said Everton Executive Chairman Marc Watts. "He is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future for this storied club," he added.
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Long live Goodison: Plan for Everton Women to move into grand old stadium
Everton's Goodison Park may receive a new lease of life amid ambitious plans by the club's new owners for the women's team to move into the grand old stadium. The Friedkin Group is assessing the feasibility of the move as part of a pledge to give Everton Women a suitable home, and executive chairman Marc Watts floated the idea of the Goodison switch in an address to staff on Tuesday. Everton Women play at nearby Walton Hall Park, which will not be fit to meet the requirements of the Women's Super League once new regulations are enforced. Goodison is preparing to host its final men's game later this season, an emotional farewell with the senior side having played in the arena since 1892. With David Moyes' side moving to the new Everton Stadium on Liverpool's docks, Goodison was to be put to use as part of Everton in the Community's Legacy Project. That will remain the case independent of whether the Everton Women take the site as their new base. A revamp of the stadium would still be required to host football matches, Everton leaving their spiritual home because it no longer fit the needs of a Premier League club, especially one with ambitions to return to European competition. Club sources insist the plan to retain Goodison for Everton Women is at an early stage, but the fact it is being explored demonstrates the will of the new ownership to ensure the much-loved site remains a key part of the club's future, as much as being a symbol of the past. After taking control of the club earlier this season, the Friedkin Group emphasised its commitment to supporting the women's game, and the Goodison plan is sure to be greeted enthusiastically by fans as well as staff and players. The idea raises the prospect of fans making a return to watch an Everton team in future seasons, meaning the final Premier League game of this season will be a case of au revoir rather than goodbye.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Angus Kinnear appointed new Everton CEO following Leeds exit
Everton have confirmed Angus Kinnear as their new chief executive officer, with the former Leeds United CEO set to take up his role on June 1. The Toffees continue their restructuring following the arrival of Texas-based Friedkin Group. The 47-year-old brings a wealth of experience to Goodison Park after a seven-year tenure at Leeds. During his time in West Yorkshire, he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2020, the transition of ownership to 49ers Enterprises in 2023, and the landmark repurchase of Elland Road. His business acumen and experience in navigating murky financial and operational waters will be crucial as Everton look for stability on and off the pitch. Everton Executive Chairman Marc Watts said (via the club website): 'Angus is one of England's leading football executives and brings a wealth of relevant experience. His appointment means Everton will go into the summer with a first-class leader. Everton have been without a permanent chief executive since the departure of Denise Barrett-Baxendale in June 2023, with Colin Chong filling the role on an interim basis. The club has also confirmed that chief commercial and communications officer Richard Kenyon will leave, and more executive appointments will come in due course. The Merseyside club is undergoing a structural shift, moving from a single director of football model to a broader sporting leadership team. Thelwell, who has been overseeing the sporting department under financial constraints, has managed to steer the club through turbulent times. Everton took two separate points deductions last season for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Despite these setbacks, Everton stayed in the Premier League for another season, and they will be there next term. The Toffees also want to strengthen in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Leeds United have appointed Peter McCormick as their executive vice-chairman. While he is not a direct replacement for Kinnear, McCormick will play a key role in the club's leadership.
