How to buy a football club

TL;DR

Keith Harris, a former investment banker, discusses his journey from academia to merchant banking and ultimately becoming a key figure in football finance.

Transcript

hello and welcome back to the Richard Hunter interview where I sit down with guests who know the city best to talk about the trends triumphs and turmoil that affect your investments in this episode I'm delighted to be joined by Keith Harris a former investment banker and financier with a long and distinguished career as a senior corporate finance a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Keith Harris's childhood love for football and interest in economics led him to a career in merchant banking.
• 🇺🇸 He found success in merchant banking, particularly in capital market work in the United States and Canada.
• 🏈 His involvement in football finance began with advising on the initial public offering of Manchester United and later expanded to include other clubs' takeovers.
• 🖐️ Keith Harris played a significant role in the growth of football as a business, especially with the introduction of live broadcasts and the involvement of major media companies.
• 😥 The recent investigation and points deduction for Everton in the Premier League may be the start of a larger crackdown on financial misconduct in football.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Keith Harris's childhood love for football and economics lead him to a career in merchant banking?

Growing up near Manchester United, Harris developed a passion for football and economics. While he briefly pursued a career in football, he chose to study economics in university and ultimately joined the world of merchant banking.

Q: What made Keith Harris successful in the field of merchant banking?

Harris's success in merchant banking can be attributed to his interest and expertise in markets and his experience in structuring deals. He found his passion for the industry while working for a brand new bank and eventually joined the well-established Morgan Grenville.

Q: How did Keith Harris become involved in football finance?

Keith Harris's involvement in football finance began with advising on the initial public offering of Manchester United. This led to him advising on the takeovers of other football clubs, such as Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Q: How did Keith Harris earn the nickname "Mr. Football"?

Keith Harris earned the nickname "Mr. Football" after a journalist wrote a flattering piece about him, highlighting his involvement in football takeovers. The name stuck, and he became a go-to figure for football finance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Keith Harris grew up with a love for football and economics, leading him to study economics in university and join the world of merchant banking.

• He found success in the banking industry, particularly in capital market work in the United States and Canada.

• His involvement in football finance began with advising on the initial public offering of Manchester United and later advising on the takeovers of clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City.