Salford get new Swiss owner in buyout – sparing them from fire sale
SALFORD have new owners after Swiss moneyman Dario Berta finally bought the club.
And as SunSport revealed, the Community Stadium is likely to follow.
The Red Devils had a fire sale of stars hanging over them after being ordered to cut £800,000 from their budget - and many vultures circling.
But the deal with a consortium led by investment banker Berta's buyout, which cleared all ‘current club debt,' means boss Paul Rowley will see no-one leave - and the extra revenue streams the city's council's December deal opened up can now be exploited.
He said: "This is the start of a very bright and successful future for Salford Red Devils. I’m very proud to be involved, and I feel like we have the perfect opportunity to build something special.
“Our focus and dedication now is to work together with stakeholders and fans to build sustainable success on and off the pitch for the long term.”
Berta's deal for Salford is likely to be part one of a greater buyout, with SunSport understanding Salford City Council could sell the stadium, which was valued at £14 million when its purchase went through.
Once that move is complete, plans to redevelop the facility – also home to Sale Sharks RU, who would operate on the same terms if it is sold – will move forward.
Berta’s buyout has not stopped Rowley from having to adhere to a £1.2 million sustainability cap for the Challenge Cup tie at Midlands Hurricanes because of timing.
But after meeting with new chief executive Chris Irwin, he can breathe more easily as Paul King, the man who guided Salford through recent years and even put his house on the line, and the community benefit society (CBS) after fans plunged in £364,270 were praised.
Berta added: “I’d like to express my gratitude to Paul King and the existing team within the CBS who have led the club in recent years from celebrating its 150th anniversary, a Super League Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final, as well as navigating the club through tricky periods such as COVID-19.”