Watford Football Club, a professional English football team, has taken a bold step by deciding to sell 10% of its equity to investors, including its fans. This innovative decision was shared in a press release with CryptoPotato, revealing that the shares will be offered on the Republic platform and its European crowdfunding arm Seedrs. The club aims to raise approximately £17.5 million ($22.3 million) from this equity sale, valuing the club at £175 million ($223 million).
The primary objective behind this equity sale is to raise capital that will be used to fund various initiatives aimed at developing the brand of Watford FC and enhancing the performance of its teams. The focus will be on critical areas such as player recruitment, training, and coaching. By infusing fresh capital, the club hopes to strengthen its position and make a strong comeback to the Premier League.
Scott Duxbury, the Chairman and CEO of Watford FC, expressed his enthusiasm for offering true ownership shares to a wide range of investors, including fans, through digital equity. This move signifies a commitment to democratizing ownership and involving the community in the club’s growth trajectory. While investors will not have voting rights, they will be entitled to dividends on their investments.
Through the partnership with Republic, Watford FC aims to attract a broader pool of investors than a traditional equity raise would have reached. Fans and professional investors alike will have the opportunity to own a piece of the club’s legacy and future by participating in this digital equity offering. Additionally, investors will gain access to exclusive offers and receive the club’s tokens, which can be traded in the future.
Andrew Durgee, the President of Republic, highlighted the significance of this equity sale as the largest digital offering to unlock ownership shares in an English football club. By facilitating such investment opportunities, Republic is committed to making sports ownership more accessible and inclusive for fans and investors who are passionate about football and want to be part of the club’s journey.
Watford FC’s decision to offer equity to investors, including fans, marks a significant milestone in the football industry. By opening up ownership possibilities through digital equity, the club is not only seeking to raise capital but also to create a more inclusive and engaging ownership structure. This bold move sets a new standard for sports clubs looking to involve their community in shaping the future of the club.
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