Football today, more than ever, is a sport driven by vast wealth, with elite clubs across the globe bankrolled by billionaire proprietors competing to outspend one another when the transfer window opens.
Yet figures with influence at both Celtic and Rangers have been listed among the top 50 richest individuals in the game in a recent report. Supporters at Parkhead remain at odds with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and the board, with Celtic’s difficulties in securing top-level signings in recent windows fuelling much of the discontent.
The friction shows no sign of easing, and a prominent Celtic supporters’ group has again demanded that chief executive Michael Nicholson be removed, while also encouraging fans to boycott Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie at home to Dundee.
At a moment when Parkhead loyalists are calling loudly for fresh direction and authority from the hierarchy, one individual who still holds a small stake in the club has been recognised among the global elite in terms of financial muscle.
American entrepreneur John Fisher inherited his family wealth from multinational clothing giant GAP, founded by his father Donald Fisher and mother Doris F. Fisher in 1969.
He shifted his focus towards sport in 1992, when he and his father became part-owners of Major League Baseball franchise the San Francisco Giants, after their investment group stepped in to prevent the team relocating to the Tampa Bay region.
Fisher later sold his share in the Giants in 2005 to purchase California-based MLB outfit the Oakland Athletics. His first involvement in football – or soccer as it is known in the United States – followed a year later when Oakland reached an agreement with Major League Soccer to establish a new top-flight California side, the San Jose Earthquakes.
In 2007, Fisher broadened his portfolio further by acquiring a minority stake in Celtic. It was reported at the time that the billionaire had spent around £2million on shares representing roughly 3.24 per cent of the club.
Fisher had long been exploring an entry point into Scottish football and had previously been linked with possible investment in Premier League sides Everton and Leeds United, as well as Celtic’s fierce rivals Rangers.
His wealth has continued to expand over the years, and with an estimated fortune of £2.9billion, he has been recognised as one of the 50 richest figures in world football. A new analysis by FourFourTwo magazine ranks Fisher Jr at number 49 on the list, just ahead of Lyon and Botafogo owner John Textor, whose wealth is estimated at £2.6billion.
Higher up the rankings, Denise York and Family – whose San Francisco 49ers Enterprises group controls both Rangers and Leeds – sit at number 30 with an estimated net worth of £6billion.
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is placed 12th with a reported fortune of £16billion, while the backers of Como, Paris FC and Paris Saint-Germain narrowly miss out on top spot, boasting estimated values of £38billion, £143billion and £253billion respectively.
Topping the list by a considerable margin are Mohamed Bin Salam and Family’s Public Investment Fund – owners of Newcastle United and four Saudi Pro League clubs – with a staggering estimated wealth of £1.2 trillion.