It’s safe to say Brentford is one of the most improved clubs in England, and that’s with much respect to others. Ever since the Bees gained promotion to the Premier League in 2021, they’ve managed to be regulars. They finished in an incredible 13th position in their debut season in the Premier League, ahead of teams like Everton, Aston Villa, and Leeds United.
Three consecutive seasons in the Premier League have helped the club’s stock grow over the years, which is why certain reports have linked the club to a potential sale involving a lot of money, which may be done sooner rather than later.
Why are Brentford’s owners reportedly selling the club?
News broke out last December that Brentford owner Matthew Benham, who has owned the club since 2007, was considering selling some part of the club. Bloomberg reported that “Matthew Benham is considering potential offers for a stake in the Premier League team,” a move that forced the club to appoint a professional to advise on the next step to take as far as the sale is concerned.
Benham was initially open to selling some part of the club as an opportunity to create investments, which would help the club compete with other mid-table Premier League clubs. However, the owner is now ready to sell a majority stake in the club with the hope of retaining minority shares just to remain a part of the club.
The potential sale, which could be in the range of £400 million, is reportedly drawing interest from the United States, whose investors have been particularly interested in English football for a few years now. The likes of Chelsea, Birmingham City, and Wrexham are just some of the clubs purchased by American investors in the past few years, and Brentford could be the latest, as the London club looks to compete consistently in the Premier League.
Brentford FC’s explosive rise under Matthew Benham
Matthew Benham purchased Brentford in 2007, when the club was languishing in League One. Before then, he had donated a huge sum of £500,000 to help the club balance its finances the previous year but came on board fully in 2007 when he decided to pay almost £3 million to help cover the club’s debts.
The club gained promotion to the Championship in 2014, marking the start of an exciting journey for the next decade. Coincidentally, Benham gained total control of the club the same year after paying £1 million every year since 2009. Between 2014 and 2020, Brentford made the playoffs three times, losing all three before beating Swansea in the final of 2021 to make their first Premier League appearance since 1947.
The Bees, who are most likely to lose Ivan Toney this summer following his return from his long-term betting ban, have not finished lower than 14th in each of their three seasons in the top flight. In their first season, Brentford finished 13th, winning two of their last four games of the season. Last season, Brentford secured a ninth-place finish, one spot below Tottenham Hotspur.
Will Brentford ultimately benefit from the hierarchy handover? Tell us what you think in the comments section.
