Liverpool part-owner RedBird Capital to strike £500m deal

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RedBird Capital Partners, a part-owner of Liverpool FC, is set to finalize a £500 million deal to acquire The Telegraph Media Group, marking a significant investment in UK print media, the largest in a decade. This acquisition positions RedBird as the majority investor in a consortium that includes other notable stakeholders such as Lord Rothermere’s DMGT and billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik, who will take minority stakes. The deal structure was adjusted to comply with regulatory requirements.

This transaction demonstrates RedBird's substantial financial capacity and expands its media portfolio, which already includes holdings across media, sports, and entertainment sectors. Their strategy involves capital investment in digital operations, leveraging data analytics and AI to grow subscriptions and enhance the subscriber experience. The consortium also plans to further develop The Telegraph’s brand internationally, particularly targeting the US market, where RedBird has a strategic presence. New content verticals in travel and events are envisioned to capture commercial opportunities aligned with a growing mass-affluent subscriber base.

Beyond print media, RedBird’s media empire already encompasses stakes in Premier League champions Liverpool FC, the UK’s largest independent TV and film production company All3Media, Fulwell Entertainment, Build a Rocket Boy gaming studio, and the pending acquisition of Channel 5 with Skydance Entertainment and Paramount Global.

Moreover, RedBird’s involvement in sports extends to teams like Ligue 1’s Toulouse and Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s majority owner, highlighting the firm's multi-faceted approach combining media and sports investments. This £500 million deal underlines their expanding influence and capital firepower in these sectors, potentially benefiting Liverpool FC as part of RedBird’s broader strategic footprint.