Ipswich Town’s return to the Championship has been nothing short of remarkable. Promoted from League One last season, they’ve seamlessly transitioned to the second tier of English football.
Under the stewardship of Kieran McKenna, the team currently holds the second position in the Championship table, amassing 28 points from their first 11 league fixtures and enjoying an eight-point lead over third-placed Preston North End. McKenna, a 37-year-old manager who arrived at Portman Road in December 2021, has garnered significant acclaim as one of the most promising young managers in the English Football League (EFL).
The transformation of Ipswich can be attributed to their ownership by Gamechanger 20 Ltd, who purchased the club for £40 million in 2021, effectively ending the tenure of the previously unpopular owner, Marcus Evans.
In light of the club’s ongoing progress, let’s explore how the owners of Ipswich Town came into their wealth.
How did Gamechanger 20 Ltd, the owners of Ipswich Town, amass their fortune? The principal owner of Ipswich Town is ORG, an American investment fund. According to the East Anglian Daily Times, they “manage funds on behalf of a substantial US pension fund – the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System – and hold a 90% stake in Gamechanger 20 Ltd.”
ORG was co-founded by Edward Schwartz in 1999, who serves as the ORG representative for the club. The board also includes individuals like Brett Johnson, Berke Bakay, and Mark Detmer, who have previously enjoyed success with Phoenix Rising FC.
While the exact current valuation of Gamechanger 20 Ltd remains undisclosed, it’s worth noting that in April 2021, Mark Steed, Chief Investment Officer for the Arizona PSPRS Trust, mentioned in a tweet that “our fund is $13 billion, and we’re holding $700 million in cash.”
The ownership group relieved Ipswich of debts totaling around £100 million upon acquisition. They have provided substantial support to Kieran McKenna in the transfer market, and their financial resources are poised to facilitate the club’s ongoing progress in the years to come.
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