Agree with all this. I think we're saying essentially the same thing, but my interpretation verged towards the optimistic whereas perhaps yours leans towards a more sober interpretation of the realities. What is clear, and we both agree on, is that Textor isn't close to "football magnate wealthy" and the wealth he does have is largely paper, subject to fluctuations in value that can be severe. Those who think, if he does add to his holding and becomes the controlling shareholder at Palace, that we're in for a period of significant investment are probably going to be severely disappointed. The upside is that there's no reason to think the club won't continue to be well run by Parish if Textor takes over the lead, but if anything the purse strings may be even more tightly managed than they are now. As we've both said, whatever they choose to spend or not, Harris and Blitzer are seriously wealthy. At a minimum, that gives us security. Textor is not in their league.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

In Chelsea, yes. But if you track the history of Harris and Blitzer (and HBSE) it's clear that they are not cut from that cloth. For them, it's not ego. They historically view their investment in sports teams as just that; an investment. Their approach has been to buy low-priced assets, stabilize them, and sell them on for a much higher price after 3-5 years. They acquired the Sixers for $200 million. They're presently valued at $700 million. What they've done with Palace is completely consistent with this model. When they bought in, the club was worth around £150 million. Today, it's worth around £225 million give or take.

Chelsea, of course, is a different kettle of fish so you'd be right to ask why would they be interested in them? The best answer I can come up with is that their real long-term strategy and underlying goal is owning an NFL franchise, not Chelsea. So they don't need and they're not looking to own a majority share in the club. This (a London team) seems unlikely anytime soon (the NFL has openly expressed reservations about placing a team outside mainland USA in the near future) but if true, having a holding in Chelsea might be considered a suitable vehicle to further that cause. If their bid is successful, what price the new Stamford Bridge (or its replacement elsewhere) is, like Spurs, an NFL-ready facility with partial investment from source? And let's be honest, Chelsea would be a pretty good twin for an incoming central London NFL team, arguably much more so than Palace.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Been chewing on the H&B move for Chelsea. Got to say I’m deeply unhappy about what these guys are up to. They bought into us and now they are trying for an upgrade to Chelsea. I posted on here a couple of seasons ago that these guys are tight arsed investors all wrong for football. Just chasing the money. I got a fair bit of abuse at the time. Now watch them. It’s not good this changing camps. If we are all not careful this could all get very messy. Whatever happens, they should be toast with us now. It’s a very difficult situation for SP. I wish him luck. I also hope they get torch d on the sale of their shares in Palace.
SP just be very careful moving forward. I strongly advise you not to let an American gain control of our club. Stay strong, stay safe and although I don’t need to remind you, remember why you got involved. Your love for our club. You’re doing a great job. Just be careful.

Well, you have much in common with the NFL itself which, at least for the forseeable future, can't see the NFL being ready to come here either. So you're right about that.

I think an NFL team WILL come here one day, but that's probably 20 years or so into the future. These guys are savvy; they're not going to make the move until they've really laid a platform for it to be successful. And having one isolated team in Europe isn't that. Part building Spurs' stadium, playing multiple games in London every year, next season expanding overseas games into other European countries are all part of laying the path but it's a long road to build and the NFL is patient and sensible.

When the NFL does expand into Europe, it won't be with just a London team. I'd expect five teams across Europe to be created simultaneously with thus, a European division from day one. The league knows that's the way to do it for a whole variety of reasons. And as I said, that's probably at least 20 years away. But that's almost without doubt the long term direction of travel.

Edited by sydtheeagle (30 Mar 2022 9.39am)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Quite agree.

They haven't been sugar daddies but truthfully I'd get pretty uncomfortable should Palace turn into a sugar daddy club. I'd be more than happy if they were replaced - if need be - like for like with experienced sports investors who would follow their lead in supporting the club financially in the background to allow the club to grow sustainably. It's not exactly the Palace way but steady incremental growth rather attracts me!

We will learn more I guess when the next set of accounts come out but I very much suspect that we have done alright through H and B in the past couple of seasons with cash being injected to support us through COVID and at a time when the squad value was minimal.

syd, as often happens reading your posts, you have shown me the light and clarified the situation in my head. When you look at it as you have, it all makes sense. As I said, I had been chewing on it and hadn’t got there.
My only remaining concern should H&B move on is who takes their shares and in what capacity. As I said earlier it will all come out in the course of time, and it goes without saying I hope it continues to work out well for our club.
Thanks.