This article is republished here from Archyworldys
It had been clear for a while that Waasland-Beveren was looking for a new owner. Preferably one with more financial resources. According to the club, there were 14 files on the table, now there is a winner. “Our club’s shareholders have reached an agreement to transfer approximately 97% of the shares to Bolt Football Holdings,” said a press release today.
Bolt Football Holdings is no unknown name in the sports world. The American group is led by David Blitzer, Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad. They already have stakes in Premier League club Crystal Palace, NBA teams Philadelphia 76ers, and the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Devils in the US Hockey League, among others.
“It is clear that we had to tap new resources to stay competitive. After months of preliminary talks, it is time to land,” said Chief Financial Officer Olivier Swolfs. “This way the buyer can use the extra mercato to make additions to our team.”
The club’s General Assembly today signed the documents. The full handover will be made in the coming days and weeks. The club emphasizes that guarantees were also given about the preservation of the local character of the club. “The remaining shares will be filled by the members of the current board of directors and some existing shareholders.”
“These shareholders have a right of veto when it comes to the name, colors and localization of the club. The new partners will work together with the current management team – Dirk Huyck, Olivier Swolfs, Jozef Van Remoortel, Walter Clippeleyr – after the acquisition. Tom Rombouts will remain the club attorney for Waasland-Beveren. “
“In the negotiations, we felt it was important to maintain the path we had taken over the past six years. Waasland-Beveren is a financially healthy club where youth activities have an important place. We applied the principle:” think global, act local “. is a milestone in the history of Waasland-Beveren. In recent years we have found that we were reaching the limits of what a small club can mean in 1A. The new investor must complement the strengths that the club already had. “
