Bolton Wanderers Football Club today announced a minority investment in the club by Entrepreneur Equity Partners LLC (“EEP”), a leading global investor in professional sports clubs and entertainment real estate.
The investment will support the club as it solidifies its position in the English Football League Championship, with a particular focus on fan engagement and enhancing the matchday experience. Founded by leading sports executives Tim Leiweke, Francesca Bodie and Keegan McDonald, EEP is a trusted partner to sports clubs and entertainment operators worldwide. It brings extensive experience in club growth, stadium and venue development, and the commercial and operational discipline that drives sustainable, long-term success.
As part of the investment, Leiweke will join the club’s board of directors, and McDonald will serve as a board observer. They will serve alongside existing directors Sharon Brittan, Michael James and Nick Luckock, subject to approval by the Independent Football Regulator. The day-to-day leadership of the club remains unchanged, with Sharon Brittan as Chairman and David Ray as Chief Executive Officer.
"Bolton Wanderers have defied expectations these past seven years under the stewardship of Football Ventures and our tremendous leadership and operations team, and I have always believed that reaching the Championship would not be the end of our journey, but the point at which we looked for the right partners to help us solidify our position there,” said Sharon Brittan, Chairman of Bolton Wanderers.
“In EEP, we have found a partner who understands our town, our community and the way we do things, who shares our vision for the future and brings real, proven experience of successfully building clubs and bringing supporters closer to the team.”
She added: “The club remains in the same hands and will be led by the same team that has brought Bolton to the Championship. EEP’s minority investment will keep supporters of this club at the heart of every decision we make, enhancing the fan experience and the ways in which they can engage with the team as we continue our transformation into a premier club that delivers victories and unforgettable experiences.”
"We were at Wembley to witness the club win promotion to the Championship, and the support we saw from the fans that day told us everything we needed to know about Bolton Wanderers and this community,” said Tim Leiweke, Chairman and Co-Founder of EEP.
"We are here to honour that legacy and those supporters and take this club to the next level. We will be bringing the best of what we have learnt as partners to many leading global teams to make Bolton Wanderers stronger than ever before. We are proud to join at this stage of this club’s incredible journey."