Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has officially joined the ownership group of the esteemed Premier League club, Everton. At 52 years old, Kidd has aligned himself with Roundhouse Capital Holdings, a component of The Friedkin Group (TFG), which successfully completed its takeover of Everton in December. This significant move has garnered attention not only for Kidd's stellar basketball career but also for the potential impact he may have on the club's future.
Everton's executive chairman, Marc Watts, expressed confidence in Kidd's capabilities, stating that he will be an “incredible resource” for the club. Kidd, an NBA legend, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. men's basketball team. He has been coaching the Mavericks since 2021, following previous coaching stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Kidd has long shown interest in Premier League ownership, having been part of a five-person consortium that attempted to buy Crystal Palace in November. On joining Everton, he stated, “I’m honoured to be joining Everton’s ownership at such an important moment: with a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it’s a great moment to come on board.”
TFG's acquisition of Everton involved purchasing the 94 percent stake previously held by Farhad Moshiri, a deal finalized in September and approved by regulators in December. This acquisition marked the end of a prolonged ownership saga for the club. After the dismissal of manager Sean Dyche in January and the appointment of David Moyes as his successor, Everton has improved their standing, currently sitting 13th in the league table, a comfortable 17 points clear of the relegation zone.
Everton is set to move into a state-of-the-art 52,000-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock before the start of the 2025-26 season. This new facility aims to enhance the club’s profile both locally and internationally. According to analysis by Everton reporter Patrick Boyland, Kidd’s involvement with Roundhouse aligns with a trend of U.S.-based owners incorporating prominent sports figures as minority investors in English soccer clubs.
Similar arrangements can be seen at EFL teams such as Birmingham City, which features Tom Brady, and Burnley, with JJ Watt as a minority owner. Additionally, Bournemouth, owned by Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, includes actor Michael B. Jordan in its ownership group. While Kidd's financial contribution is relatively modest in the context of the Premier League, he is not expected to influence the day-to-day operations of Everton significantly.
Unlike fellow new investor Christopher Sarofim, who manages around $30 billion in assets and will have an observer role on the Everton board, Kidd’s participation is viewed as a strategic move to bolster Everton's brand in the United States. TFG has prioritized this expansion, especially given their ties with two major Texas sports franchises, including the Houston Texans of the NFL.
With the addition of Kidd and Sarofim, Everton appears poised to tap into its latent potential. There is a sense of optimism surrounding the club's future, particularly with the opportunity for collaboration between Kidd and the Mavericks, which could lead to sharing best practices in sports management. This strategic alignment is seen as a significant boost for Everton as they aim to solidify their position in both domestic and international football.
(Photo: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
