According to reports on Monday morning, Genoa owners 777 Partners are closing in on acquiring struggling Premier League side Everton from Farhad Moshiri, but what do we know about the potential investors so far?
777 Partners was founded in 2015 by Steven Pasko and Joshua Wander, who between them have more than 50 years of experience in the financial services sector and have both held executive roles with investment firm SuttonPark Capital.
777 describe themselves as “a family of passionate sports fans with high energy and teamwork deep-rooted in our culture” and claim to offer their network of sports teams “instant access to a scalable, multi-club platform.”
Aside from the sports market, 777 Partners have also invested in the aviation, insurance and fintech industries.
In 2018, the US-based investment firm made their first move into club ownership when they acquired 6% of the shares of LaLiga outfit Sevilla.
In 2020, they became the owner of British Basketball League side the London Lions and the following year, made an investment in the league (BBL) itself.
Between 2021 and 2022, the investors began adding more and more football clubs to it’s portfolio, beginning with Genoa. The Rossoblu were relegated from Serie A at the end of the 2021-22 season, but are currently second in Serie B and look set to return to the top flight next season.
In February 2022, 777 Partners bought 70% of one of Brazil’s oldest football clubs Vasco de Gama, before adding Standard Liege in Belgium and Red Star Paris of the Championnat National to their list.
Later that year, the firm made significant investments in Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin and Australian outfit Melbourne Victory.
Now, 777 Partners are moving closer to purchasing Everton, in what would likely be their most significant investment yet if they are to acquire all of the 94% of shares Farhad Moshiri currently owns.