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'American invasion' of English soccer gathers speed in Liverpool
By CHRIS LEHOURITES, AP Sports Writer
February 6, 2007
AP - Jan 29, 12:15 pm EST
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LONDON (AP) -- The Beatles started the "British invasion" by leaving Liverpool and heading to the United States. Forty years later, George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks are joining an "American invasion" of English soccer, and taking it right back to Liverpool.
On Tuesday, the two American sports team owners agreed to buy controlling interest in Liverpool, the famous English Premier League soccer team that has won a record 18 league titles and five European Cups.
The duo is expected to take full control of the team after buying out the remaining shares, making the club the third in England's top soccer league to be owned by Americans. "It was not a question of money," said Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars. "It was a question of, `Are we the proper custodians?' and I believe we are." Malcolm Glazer may have felt the same when he took over control of Manchester United two years ago, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner was met with protests because his purchase put the team in debt.
By CHRIS LEHOURITES, AP Sports Writer
February 6, 2007
AP - Jan 29, 12:15 pm EST
More Photos
LONDON (AP) -- The Beatles started the "British invasion" by leaving Liverpool and heading to the United States. Forty years later, George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks are joining an "American invasion" of English soccer, and taking it right back to Liverpool.
On Tuesday, the two American sports team owners agreed to buy controlling interest in Liverpool, the famous English Premier League soccer team that has won a record 18 league titles and five European Cups.
The duo is expected to take full control of the team after buying out the remaining shares, making the club the third in England's top soccer league to be owned by Americans. "It was not a question of money," said Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars. "It was a question of, `Are we the proper custodians?' and I believe we are." Malcolm Glazer may have felt the same when he took over control of Manchester United two years ago, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner was met with protests because his purchase put the team in debt.