Daniel Arzani in action for Melborune Victory. Photo: Marcus Robertson / Round Ball Australia.

Daniel Arzani in action for Melborune Victory. Photo: Marcus Robertson / Round Ball Australia.

Tony Bloom, the majority owner of English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, has acquired an ‘initial’ 19.1 per cent ownership stake in Melbourne Victory.

The announcement comes only a week after the club announced a new partnership with Jamestown Analytics, an offshoot of Starlizard (owned by Bloom) that has been credited as a large part of Brighton’s rapid rise up the English football pyramid.

According to Victory, this partnership ensures they are the “exclusive partner of Jamestown Analytics in Australian and New Zealand”, meaning they can be the only A-League team under these conditions with access to a world leader in football data innovation.

The news also comes after Melbourne Victory confirmed the divestment of 777’s 19.9 per cent interest in the club. Per a recent report from Josimar by Paul Brown and Philippe Auclair, this was a move done by A-CAP (the company holding 777’s football investments) for free, with no financial return.

Bloom’s investment has earned him an initial 19.1 per cent share of Victory, whilst it has been made clear that he has the ability to increase his ownership over time.

This move is a massive turn of fortunes for Melbourne Victory. They’ve gone from having a large ownership party (for Victory’s structure) declaring bankruptcy, to a partnership with a Premier League club who is leading the world in the new era of data analytics in football.

Other clubs who are associated with Jamestown Analytics include Serie A’s Como 1907, Cam Devlin’s Hearts of Midlothian and Belgium’s Royale Union.

Melbourne Victory is now joining a productive, world-wide network of football clubs, akin to the one they were promised when their first signed on with 777 Partners, two and a half years ago.

Melbourne Victory Charmain, John Dovaston says the club is extremely excited to welcome Bloom.

“We are extremely excited to bring someone of Tony’s calibre not only into Melbourne Victory, but of course, into the A-League,” he said.

“Tony’s wealth of experience and expertise in football is well recognised, with Brighton & Hove Albion being widely regarded as one of the best-run teams in the EPL.”

Bloom himself says his links to the country were part of the driver to invest in an Australian football club.

“My wife is from Australia and, whenever possible, the two of us and our children enjoy spending time there each year. I am especially delighted that we now have a ‘home club’ in Australia to support,” he said.

“As a passionate football supporter, I am excited to have the opportunity to become a shareholder in Melbourne Victory, one of the most successful clubs in A-League history,” Mr Bloom said. 

“My investment reflects my confidence in the Club’s vision and leadership, and I see tremendous potential in the Club for further growth and success, both on and off the pitch.”

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