Derby County’s new ownership situation looks increasingly unclear, says the Guardian’s David Conn. Detroit-based General Sports & Entertainment bought the club a few weeks ago, promising to turn Derby County into “a global brand.” The group’s president, Andy Appleby, owns 93 percent of the club’s shares “on behalf of GSE.” However, Appleby later said that GSE “will be managing the investment of members of the USA consortium they have brought together.” In other words, GSE, a management company, is really acting on behalf of investors. Who these investors are remains a mystery, as neither Appleby nor Tom Glick, Derby’s new chief executive, are willing to divulge that information.
Said Glick: “It is not a matter of secrecy, GSE has a number of investors and they are not interested in a public role.” However, the company might have to reveal these investors to the Premier League, as they, like all owners, have to pass the league’s “fit and proper person” test.
GSE bought the club for $100 million. Both Appleby and Glick said this was a cash deal, though they would not break down the financials. Derby is believed to have cost $40 million, with an added debt of the same price. If that’s the case, then $20 million has been left over for manager Paul Jewell to sign new talent when Derby drops back to the Championship at the end of the season.