American investment fund 777 Partners is close to buying Everton – but who are they?

With Everton clinging onto its Premier League status in 17th place, American investment fund 777 Partners are close to buying the club and ending the miserable tenure of current owner Farhad Moshiri.

As Mail Sport previously reported on Wednesday night, a deal is expected to be concluded next week, and the Toffees will command a fee of around $749millionn (£600m) despite the club’s tenuous standing in top-flight soccer.

And while 777 are said to be demanding a Premier League guarantee in the deal, they could well be the next owners tasked with rejuvenating a club that Moshiri will be leaving in dire shape.

Here, DailyMail.com takes a look at the questions surrounding 777. 

And Josh Wander, one of the managing partners at 777, could soon be in charge of the club

Who are they?

Based in Miami, Florida, 777 was founded in 2015 and is led by managing partners Steven Pasko and Josh Wander.

The company’s website describes its mission as ‘build[ing] a self-sufficient company that is not dependent on banks and third party investors in order to overcome the inherent compromises they saw in the prevailing model.’

And while 777 has built a formidable fleet of sports franchises (more on that later), it’s also involved in other sectors.

The company lists aviation as being in its portfolio, while insurance and fintech are part of that group as well.

Wander is seen before a match between Standard de Liege and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

Then-Genoa head coach Alexander Blessin  (C) jokes with Steven Pasko and Wander last year

What are they worth?

According a Liverpool Echo report from April, 777 has more than $6billion in assets under management.

Of course, that number would skyrocket if they added Everton to their portfolio.

What clubs do they already own?

If Everton is bought by 777, the club will join an already-impressive roster of teams in the company’s stable.

The investment fund owns Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, Italian club Genoa, Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, Belgian outfit Standard Liege, and French third-tier side Red Star.

Additionally, the company owns a piece of Sevilla and purchased British basketball club the London Lions in 2021, before taking a 45 percent stake in the British Basketball League a year later.

It also agreed to a five-year deal to take control of the Melbourne Victory in January.

Pedro Raul of Vasco celebrates with teammates after scoring against Fluminense on May 6

Everton has struggled greatly the last two seasons and is facing another fight to stay up

However, while 777 has experience in soccer, a deal for Everton at around $749million would likely be by far the biggest it’s completed.

777 paid $137million for a 70 percent stake of Vasco da Gama last year, a reported $175.80million for Genoa in 2021, and just $9.2million for a 45 percent stake in the British Basketball League in 2021 as well. 

As of March, they also own a majority-stake 64.7 percent of Hertha Berlin, though the terms of the deal were not made public.

What kind of success have they had with other clubs?

The same year that 777 purchased Vasco, considered one of Brazil’s biggest clubs, the team returned to the country’s top flight after previously being relegated to the second division.

Genoa will also be returning to Serie A next season after finishing 19th last year and getting relegated to Serie B.

Red Star could soon follow suit, as they’re in fourth place and just two points out of promotion at present in the French third division.

Genoa were promoted back to Serie A after being relegated to Italy’s second division

But Hertha Berlin will likely drop down to 2. Bundesliga as they’re last with two games left

777 will almost certainly begin their first full season with Hertha in the 2. Bundesliga, however, with the club in last place with just two games remaining.

And across other sports, the London Lions won the BBL championship this season, their first since 2018-19.  

What are the chances of a deal?

Mail Sport understands that 777 Partners are the preferred bidder, though their insistence, according to sources, on a Premier League guarantee, could obviously hamper the deal.

Everton are currently one point clear of safety in 17th place, with games against Wolves and Bournemouth remaining.

Unsurprisingly, 777 is not the only potential buyer interested. 

MSP Sports Capital, another US investment firm, is also interested in the club.

What should Everton fans expect?

While 777 cannot guarantee better success in the transfer market for Everton, they will surely try to fund it as they’ve shown a commitment to big cash injections at other clubs.

Kicker reported their deal to buy Hertha Berlin will result in a $108million cash injection over the next two years, while the deal to acquire Red Star last year  featured a five-year, $32.5million investment plan according to Get Football News France.

And while Everton fans will view a potential sale as pivotal to finding funding for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, 777 has faced blowback in the past.

Everton fans protest hold a banner reading “It’s time to go…” with portraits of club owner Farhad Moshiri (2nd r) and board members (from L) Grant Ingles, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Bill Kenwright and Graeme Shar

Everton fans have witnessed relegation battles for two seasons running – and it remains to be seen how this one will conclude

Red Star supporters set smoke bombs on the pitch to protest the sale of the working-class club, with a game on April 15 last year having to be abandoned.

Several politicians even signed an open letter denouncing the takeover, according to AFP.

Furthermore, the fund came under scrutiny in Germany  over its deal to take charge of Hertha Berlin, due to potential issues around the deal and its compliance with the 50+1 rule that exists in German football, where the club and its members retains control by holding 51 per cent of the voting shares, according to Forbes. 

The firm took full control of Hertha Berlin in March, acquiring the 64.7 per cent stake of former investor Lars Windhorst through his firm Tennor Holdings, but while Tennor was only able to influence decisions that exceeded a volume of €20m ($22m), 777 has full control over all club-relevant decisions.  

Some fans in blue-collar Merseyside may have the same thoughts if Everton is purchased by 777, though the club could certainly benefit from some new voices in the boardroom if they manage to scrape their way to survival.