Watford Football Club, a professional English football team, is looking to sell 10% of its equity to investors, including its fans. The club aims to raise approximately £17.5 million ($22.3 million) through this equity sale. Watford FC will be offering the shares on the crypto and startup investment platform Republic, as well as its European crowdfunding arm Seedrs.
The capital raised from the equity sale will be utilized to fund initiatives that focus on developing the brand of Watford FC and improving the performance of its teams. This will include areas such as player recruitment, training, and coaching. The club’s management, led by Chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury, has expressed their intentions to use this funding to propel Watford FC back to the Premier League.
By partnering with Republic, Watford FC hopes to attract a broader range of investors than traditional equity raise methods would allow. Investors who participate in this offering will have the potential to access exclusive offers and receive the club’s tokens, which can be traded in the future. The president of Republic, Andrew Durgee, emphasized the platform’s commitment to making sports ownership more accessible to both fans and professional investors.
Watford FC’s equity sale not only provides investors with a financial stake in the club but also offers fans the chance to own a piece of the club’s legacy and future. While investors will not have voting rights within the club, they will be entitled to dividends on their investments, aligning their interests with the financial success of Watford FC as a whole.
Watford FC’s foray into digital equity offerings represents a groundbreaking opportunity for football clubs to engage with a broader range of investors, including their own dedicated fan base. By leveraging platforms like Republic and Seedrs, the club is taking steps to ensure its continued growth and success both on and off the field. This innovative approach to ownership and fundraising could serve as a model for other clubs looking to expand their reach and secure funding for their long-term goals.
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