Brighton owner bids to invest in Hearts of Midlothian
Tony Bloom has offered to invest nearly £10 million in exchange for a 29% non-voting share in the Edinburgh-based football club, with the Foundation of Hearts members now invited to vote on the proposal.
Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has proposed to invest £9.86 million in Heart of Midlothian Football Club in exchange for a 29% stake made up of non-voting shares.
The offer, confirmed on Tuesday by the Edinburgh club, would not affect control of the club, which remains majority-owned by the supporters' group Foundation of Hearts (FOH). Voting rights would remain unchanged, with FOH retaining 75.1%.
If the transaction is approved, Bloom will not join the club's board directly but will be entitled to appoint one representative. The investment is being made in a personal capacity, and the club will not become part of a multi-club system.
“He believes Hearts can disrupt Scottish football, and he wants to be a part of a new glorious chapter in Hearts' history,” said a statement from FOH.
Bloom’s connection with Hearts began last year when the club entered into a partnership with Jamestown Analytics, an offshoot of his Starlizard data firm. The same analytics model has contributed to the recent success of both Brighton and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, where Bloom also holds an ownership interest.
A club statement said: “Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Tony Bloom has made a proposal to invest capital of £9.86m into the club for which he shall receive a 29 per cent stake in the club via non-voting shares. A consultation period with the club’s majority shareholders – the Foundation of Hearts – will now begin.”
The consultation period with FOH members began on 6 May and will run until 26 May. During this time, members will be given full details of the proposal and asked to vote. A simple majority of votes cast is required for the proposal to proceed.
An Extraordinary General Meeting will be held after the vote to formally approve the deal. The transaction also remains subject to legally binding agreements, Scottish FA approval, and standard regulatory requirements.
FOH confirmed: “This proposed investment is being made by Tony Bloom on a personal basis as an individual. Although Tony Bloom does have ownership interests in three other football clubs, he has never sought to tie those clubs together in a ‘multi-club system’.”
The club said the investment would be used both to strengthen the playing squad and to support long-term sustainability. Bloom’s shares will be of a new non-voting class, meaning FOH’s control of the club will remain intact.
Supporters will now be asked to consider the proposal and cast their votes before the end of the month.