After repeated approaches from investors and other interested parties, Brisbane Roar Football Club’s board of directors has agreed to consider offers for part-ownership of the club.
BRFC chairman Chris Fong said it had always been the intention of the club’s Indonesian-based owners Bakrie Group to return to part-ownership which it held up to 2012 when it bought out its co-owner, Football Federation of Australia.
Fong said it was time “to share the vision” the club has for the future.
“We have a strategy we want to stick to in growing the club . . . We want to take another leap forward and it’s time to bring in a strategic Australian partner to help us,” he said.
Fong said the proceeds of any part-sale of BRFC would be totally put back into the club to continue its growth and development.
Fong said the BRFC board had fielded numerous expressions of interest from Australian-based and offshore investors since the Roar’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final and Premiers Plate double last season.
He said since taking over full ownership, the Bakrie Group and the BRFC management team had built the club into one that boasted nearly 12,000 members, turned over more than $12 million last year and was on track for profitability in FY2016.
Fong said meetings with potential investors could be held in January. He said he was unable to discuss details of the approaches but expected local investors to be at the forefront of negotiations.
“A strong Brisbane Roar Football Club should have a strong domestic-based part-owner who can join us in capitalising further on what is a huge market of opportunity in Australian sport,’’ Fong said.
“From the number of approaches we have received since the end of last season, it is simply good governance for the board to continue discussions with these parties who have shown interest in buying a share of our successful business.”
Fong said any potential partner must be aligned to the current vision of the Brisbane Roar Football Club.
“We are totally committed to building on the success of our past and cementing our proud standing as an innovative foundation member of the Hyundai A-League,’’ he said.
Fong said any negotiations with interested investors would not affect the club’s current operations, on and off the field. He said BRFC had recently received a letter from the FFA offering to extend its A-League license through to 2034.
