Moneyball comes to Yorkshire as Championship club taken over
A consortium headed by a Chinese businessman and including the man who created the book and film Moneyball have taken over Championship football club Barnsley FC.
Patrick Cryne, who is terminally ill, has stepped down as owner. The Cryne family have been in discussions about a potential takeover of Barnsley FC for the last few months with an investor consortium led by Chien Lee of NewCity Capital and Pacific Media Group, which is headed by Paul Conway and Grace Hung.
Billy Beane, the former Oakland A’s general manager who became world famous through the book and film Moneyball, is also an investor.
Lee, who becomes co-chairman, said: “We are very excited to partner with the Cryne family and invest in Barnsley Football Club. The Cryne family have exhibited spectacular leadership building Barnsley Football Club over the last 14 years and we are excited to join them to further the growth of the club.”
The new owners have gained approval from the English Football League and have been formally appointed to the board.
Chief Executive Gauthier Ganaye said: “We would like to thank every member of our loyal fan base for their patience and continued support over recent months. An exciting chapter is opening for Barnsley Football Club and we are looking forward to the future together.”
Lee and Pacific Media Group led a group which purchased 80% of OGC Nice in June 2016. In their first year of ownership, the French club finished third in Ligue 1 and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Co-Chairman Paul Conway added: “Similar to our investment in OGC Nice, we expect to further enhance the academy, playing squad, commercial operations and fan experience of Barnsley Football Club. Barnsley has some of the most passionate fans in England and we look forward to meeting many of its supporters in the upcoming weeks.”
