Ipswich Town has received fresh investment from US private equity firm Bright Path Sports Partners to secure the English Football League (EFL) Championship club’s long-term future.
Bright Path Sports had invested £105m into Ipswich, securing a 40% stake in the club. The new investment also means that part-owners Three Lions have received additional funds to help the club in its quest for promotion to the Premier League this season, with the club currently lying third in the league table.
Ipswich CEO, Mark Ashton, will continue to manage the day-to-day running of the club, with new investors Bright Path Sports providing capital and strategic thinking.
Ashton commented on the new investment: “We are excited to welcome Bright Path Sports on what is another landmark day in the Club’s history.
“This is a day that further secures the long-term future of the Football Club and gives us the means to move the Club forward as we benefit from the wide range of skills and experiences Bright Path’s investors will bring.
“The investment will continue to support the Club in both the medium and long term, with the biggest immediate use being to support a number of key infrastructure projects, including the significant redevelopment of the training ground at Playford Road.”
Following Bright Path Sports’ investment, ORG and is headed by Ed Schwartz, remains the majority and controlling shareholder in the club, retaining a 50% holding. The remaining 10% is made up of smaller investors, including Three Lions.
The new investment also sees changes at board level, with Sam Simon and Bright Path Sports Co-Founder Jake Zahnow joining the Board of Gamechanger 20; the company formed to purchase Ipswich in April 2021.
Schwartz, Co-Founder of ORG, and Ipswich majority shareholder, added: “When we purchased Ipswich Town in 2021, we did so with the initial aim of restoring the club to the Championship and becoming competitive at this level, with the plan always including bringing a partner on board when the time was right.
“The Club’s progress means we feel that time is now and we are excited to welcome Bright Path Sports. Alongside the continued day-to-day leadership of Mark Ashton, who we are delighted has further committed his future to the club, we look forward to Bright Path bringing significant value to Ipswich Town in the coming years.”
