Portsmouth: Chairman Michael Eisner's three sons become club shareholders

29 CommentsThe three sons of Portsmouth chairman Michael Eisner have become minority shareholders in the club.

Breck, Eric and Anders Eisner now each own 24.5% of the shares in Portsmouth FC LLC, which owns both the men's and women's teams, totalling 73.5% between them.

Michael Eisner, who previously owned 100% of the Championship club, now holds the remaining 26.5%, but retains full voting rights and is the only holder of a "significant interest in the club", as defined in the English Football League (EFL) regulations.

"This change in the ownership structure puts on paper what has existed from the very start – a family-focused approach to the ownership of this club," Eisner said., external

"From the moment I first began discussions about taking on the ownership of Portsmouth Football Club, I knew this needed to be a family affair.

"My sons, along with my wife, Jane, have played an active role in the ownership of the club and have become avid and dedicated Pompey fans."

Portsmouth said the change in share ownership and the transfer of shares was part of "Michael Eisner's strategy in respect of succession planning".

BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon

We knew this news was coming as Michael Eisner hinted at it in an interview in the United States a few weeks ago.

The clubs statement referred to a change in "economic" ownership of the parent company, Michael remains chairman and remains in control.

He has always made it clear his sons would eventually own the club so this is formalising something that was always set to happen - it will not change how the club operates.

Michael Eisner said in his interview that he had to "lend his sons" the money to make this deal happen.

What exactly was meant by that is still to be explained.