American sports impressario once bought the Major League Baseball side the San Diego Padres from dithering owners who had split apart a loyal fan base, creating a much disgruntled mob who protested with their feet by not attending games.
Moores came in and took on the Padres, paying $80m for an 80% share of the club in 1994; this is the purchase model that he wants to adopt buying Nootingham Forest – an 80% stake with current owner Al-Hasawi maintaining a silent, then diminishing 20% investment in the club. 18 years later, Moores sold the Padres for $800m, yes $800m – you read it right!
One thing that Moores did for the Padres was fight tooth and nail to ensure that his newly-bought had a solid base in San Diego – a place where roots could be laid down. This stadium was the $450m Petco Park (below).
Now it can’t be said for certain that incoming owner Moores is going to dig as deep as $450m into his pocket to fund Nottingham Forest, or build them a new stadium – likely neither of those are on the agenda.
However, in an interview Moores gave to Barry Bloom, a baseball columnist on MLB.com, the incoming American had plenty to say about his intentions when the deal goes through.
John Jay Moores and 5 things Nottingham Forest
1. What Moores intends to focus on when he takes over at Nottingham Forest
“Put the club on firm financial footing, make it relevant again, plus clean and update the City Ground, the stadium in which NFFC has played since 1898.”
2. On putting together the right team to run Nottingham Forest, Moores will use his tried and tested formula.
“You’ve got to go in and clean it up. It’s not as hard as you might think. You just have to start watching everything.”
3. Responding to questions on Twitter what kind of owner he will be at Forest.
“Hands off, man, is the answer. It’s just too hard. Everything is too hard.”
4. On how it is important to get the right people for the job.
“If somebody does his job right, nobody should even know who’s the owner. Nobody should even care.”
5. The ultimate aim.
“The aspiration is get back to the EPL (English Premier League). We plan on doing what it takes to get there.”
