Stoke City Football Club have announced significant changes to their ownership structure, with bet365 CEO John Coates now taking full ownership of the club. This move comes as the club’s debts are cleared and a change in ownership is in place to further develop and strengthen the club.
Ownership Changes
The change in ownership comes after bet365 completed a demerger of the club, which saw the club placed under the full control of John Coates. This decision was made due to licensing issues, allowing bet365 to continue its global expansion. The Coates family remains committed to supporting the Potters in the long term.
One of the key outcomes of this transaction was the clearing of the club’s debts. In addition, the Clayton Wood training ground and bet365 Stadium are now owned directly by Stoke City Football Club. This strengthens the financial position of the Club and provides the foundation for its future development.
Board composition
Despite the change in ownership, John Coates, Richard Smith and Peter Coates will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. This ensures continuity of management and support for the Club’s current and future projects.
Commenting on the changes, John Coates said: “My family and I remain committed to Stoke City and so everything is moving forward as usual. The development projects at the stadium and our training ground will continue at the same pace over the coming years and Potters fans can be assured that investment in the playing squad will continue to be the maximum within our competition rules. Everything we do is aimed at ensuring the long-term success of Stoke City and representing our fan base and local community in a way that people can be proud of.”
Future of the Club
Changes in ownership and debt repayment provide new opportunities for Stoke City. Investment in infrastructure and team development will contribute to improved performance and a stronger position in the Championship.
In addition to the changes in the club’s ownership structure, bet365 continues to expand its reach and partnerships. Inspired Entertainment recently announced an extension of its partnership with bet365, which will see Inspired’s portfolio of online games offered to punters in Pennsylvania. This demonstrates bet365’s commitment to expanding its presence in multiple markets and strengthening its position in the online gaming industry.
The acquisition of full control of Stoke City Football Club by John Coates and the repayment of debt provide new opportunities for the club to grow and succeed. The support of the Coates family and further investment in infrastructure and team development provides a solid foundation for long-term success in the sporting arena.