Liverpool owner John Henry defended after FSG faces angry wrath of fans

Arne Slot's initial tenure at has undoubtedly impressed the decision-makers at . However, the Reds' owners are facing some challenges across the Atlantic.

FSG, as the Reds' proprietors, have sparked mixed reactions among certain sections of the Liverpool fan base. Some view them as reliable stewards of the football club who have invested in its infrastructure, elevating it back to the upper echelons of European football, a far cry from the dire situation under previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

However, other supporters believe they haven't splashed enough cash during crucial transfer windows when it was perceived they could have capitalized on a position of strength.

Ultimately, what truly counts, and what is inherently tied to fan sentiment, is the team's performance on the field. If the team triumphs, then the expense of player acquisitions becomes inconsequential as football is all about glory.

After seven Premier League matches under Slot, Liverpool stands alone at the top, one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City. The remaining 31 games will undoubtedly bring numerous twists and turns, but for now, FSG's waters on Merseyside are relatively tranquil.

In Boston, Massachusetts, it's a different ball game for the owners who've been at the helm since 2002, witnessing the Boston Red Sox snag four World Series titles in two decades. Yet, these triumphs now seem distant memories as the formidable team has missed out on the Major League Baseball post-season for a third consecutive year and for the fifth time in six seasons.

After an 86-year wait, the euphoria that once surrounded Fenway Park seems to be fading, with FSG and its figurehead John W. Henry feeling the heat from disgruntled fans.

Accusations have been flung towards FSG leaders, suggesting a waning interest by principal owner in the Red Sox's fortunes following their exit from playoff contention.

However, in a candid conversation on MassLive's Fenway Rundown with Chris Cotillo, FSG's CEO and Red Sox president Sam Kennedy firmly quashed such notions.

Kennedy assured listeners, disclosing his recent discussions about future prospects, "I would say that I spoke with John in the past couple of hours about the 2024-25 Red Sox. We speak just about every day. He speaks to[Craig Breslow] just about every day.

"There is this perception of John, largely driven by people who aren't dealing with him, who don't talk to him regularly, that maybe, somehow, he's not actively involved. I can assure you, he's on the most important committees in Major League Baseball. He's leading our franchise as our principal owner. He does give us a lot of rope in management, in me as CEO, Bres (Craig Breslow) as CBO, but he is incredibly involved and is as passionate about the team as he's ever has been.

"What we talked about literally today was this incredible set of building blocks that we have in place, and how, while how disappointing 2024 was, how exciting the baseball project is, how invested he is, I am, Mike Gordon is, Theo Epstein is into Craig Breslow and what he's building in terms of how he's building out his staff, his team, where he's prioritising our spend and our investment.

"I would say that John, as I am, as our whole ownership group is, is optimistic about the future, also frustrated about the last few years. John's been in baseball since the late 1980s maybe 1990 or so, and I can't tell you excruciating seasons are where you're .500 or even below .500 when you're not headed for the post-season. It's painful and John feels that as much as anyone."

However, there are currently no plans to sell either of the teams. This is evident from the emphasis they place on establishing a new football-specific division within the company to expand the FSG portfolio.

The acquisition of another team remains on the cards, even after discussions with French side Bordeaux concluded over the summer.

FSG continues to be in a growth phase, and it's almost certain that an NBA basketball franchise will feature prominently. However, it's more likely to be an expansion franchise in Las Vegas rather than purchasing the Boston Celtics, who are currently up for sale but carry a hefty price tag of over $5bn.