- bet365 has exited their ownership position of English Championship side Stoke City.
- Controlling interest in the club is now owned outright by bet365 co-CEO John Coates.
- bet365 has owned Stoke City since 2006.
Stoke-headquartered betting and gaming operator bet365 has announced a significant structural change and demerger of Stoke City Football Club. The move marks a new chapter for the English Championship club, which has been under the ownership of bet365 since 2006.
The controlling stake in Stoke City is now owned outright by John Coates, who serves as co-CEO of bet365 alongside Denise Coates. This adjustment in the ownership model has been implemented for licensing reasons, identified by the bet365 Group as the optimal strategy for the company’s continued global expansion and the club’s sustained support from the Coates family.
As part of the transaction, all debts have been cleared, and the club now directly owns the Clayton Wood training ground and the bet365 Stadium. The Board of Directors for Stoke City will remain unchanged, continuing to include John Coates, Richard Smith, and Peter Coates.
“My family and I remain steadfast in our commitment to Stoke City, so it’s very much business as usual,” said John Coates. He assured fans that future investment and development plans would proceed unaffected by the change.
John Coates emphasized that the infrastructural projects at the stadium and training facility would continue at a robust pace. The commitment to maximizing investment in the playing squad within competition rules remains strong, with the aim of achieving long-term success for Stoke City.
“Everything we do is geared towards bringing long-term success to Stoke City and representing our fanbase and local community in a way that makes people proud,” Coates added.
This strategic adjustment ensures that Stoke City can continue to thrive with the unwavering support of the Coates family, while bet365 can focus on its global expansion initiatives.
Despite the demerger, bet365 will remain a principal partner and shirt sponsor of the club. This continued partnership underscores bet365’s dedication to Stoke City and its fanbase.
The structural change and demerger are seen as essential steps for both bet365 and Stoke City to achieve their respective goals. The club can look forward to ongoing investment and support, maintaining its pursuit of success on and off the field.
