Power in the group: the rise of multi-club ownership in football

“W e don’t have a hierarchy of clubs - this is not a pyramid-type model,” Joshua Wander insisted after 777 Partners completed its purchase of a 64.7% majority stake in Hertha Berlin last month. “This is really about preserving the independence and the deep and rich histories of the individual clubs. We want to provide our clubs with the tools so that they can all be the best.”

It’s been almost five years since the Miami-based private investment firm established by Wander and his partner Steven Pasko in 2015 made its first foray in the world of football by purchasing a minority stake in Spanish club Sevilla. It has since completed full takeovers of Genoa in Italy, Standard Liège in Belgium and Red Star in France, and taken 70% stakes in the Australian club Melbourne Victory and Brazil’s Vasco de Gama.

It is one of the most ambitious examples of the new multiclub model that is sweeping the game. With 777 Partners now casting its eye towards the Premier League, where the company ends up remains to be seen.

“We are not going to comment on any specific rumours,” said a spokesperson for 777 Partners when asked about reports that Wander and Pasko met Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners over a potential investment in Newcastle, held talks with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and has also been eyeing up investment in Everton.

“That said, as part of the normal course of business at 777, we have many meetings with people in the business world as well as financial institutions. As part of those conversations there is inevitably some discussion around football.

“We are thrilled with the current status of our football group, and if anything, these rumours are a testament to the strength of the portfolio we’ve built, our management team