Everton Women have officially been sold and are now a standalone entity, separate from the men’s football team. The transaction was made to Roundhouse Capital Holdings Ltd, a company owned by American businessman Dan Friedkin, who also owns Everton FC. While the women’s and men’s teams are now operationally distinct, both remain under the same overarching ownership.
This strategic move is aimed at attracting further investment into the women’s game, particularly from the United States, where interest in women’s football continues to grow. The change also serves as a financial tactic, allowing Everton to record the sale as revenue, which positively impacts the club’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) standing.
Key Details of Everton Women’s Ownership Restructure and Sale
- Club: Everton Women
- Ownership Status: Sold to Roundhouse Capital Holdings Ltd
- Owner: Dan Friedkin (The Friedkin Group)
- Separation from Men’s Team: Operationally separate but under same umbrella ownership
- Purpose of Sale: To ensure PSR compliance and attract fresh investment
- Sale Value Estimate: Approximately £60 million (not officially confirmed)
- Premier League Ratified: Yes, the sale has been approved
- Financial Benefit: Sale recorded as profit under PSR regulations
- Investment Goal: Targeting minority investors, especially from the US
- Season Performance (2024–25):
- 8th in Women’s Super League
- 5th round exit in Women’s FA Cup
- Group stage exit in Women’s League Cup
This approach mirrors recent moves by Chelsea and Aston Villa, who have also sold their women’s teams to parent companies to help balance their books. While this method has sparked regulatory scrutiny at the European level, it remains permissible under Premier League rules.
The sale of Everton Women is more than just a transfer of ownership. It represents a broader shift in how football clubs are managing their assets under increasingly strict financial regulations. Under the Premier League’s PSR guidelines, clubs are not allowed to exceed £105 million in losses over a three-year cycle. Everton had previously breached these rules, receiving a six-point deduction in the 2021-22 season and two points in 2022-23.
Selling Everton Women as a standalone asset gives the club an accounting advantage. The estimated value of the transaction could be as much as £60 million, which is now added to the books as profit. This financial injection provides the men’s team with critical headroom to invest in transfers without breaching PSR thresholds.
Roundhouse Capital Holdings is the same entity used by The Friedkin Group during its takeover of Everton FC in December 2024. With both men’s and women’s teams now operating under different structures within the same corporate family, Everton is creating flexibility in financial planning while still maintaining operational control.
This move is not merely a financial ploy. Everton officials have insisted that the decision aligns with the new financial year and long-term strategy to attract global investors. With women’s football gaining significant traction, particularly in the U.S., Everton Women is now in a better position to appeal to minority stakeholders and sponsors.
Investment Opportunities and Growth
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has described the sale as a “sideways move” under the same ownership umbrella. However, it opens up substantial investment opportunities. The women’s team now has the autonomy to attract funds and build its brand independently from the men’s side. Playing matches at the iconic Goodison Park further increases its appeal for both fans and investors.
Recent examples, such as Chelsea Women attracting investment from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian after their own ownership shift, demonstrate the commercial viability of women’s football when positioned strategically.
Everton Women will benefit not only from financial autonomy but also from targeted investments that could elevate their standing in the Women’s Super League. With increased exposure, the team can also appeal to a broader, more diverse fan base. Everton’s move reflects a growing trend among Premier League clubs to commercialize women’s football as a standalone product.
This evolution arrives at a time when women’s football is enjoying an unprecedented boom, fueled in part by the success of international tournaments like the Women’s Euro 2025. Everton Women, now an independent asset, are poised to capitalize on this momentum.
FAQs
Why did Everton sell their women’s team?
To create a separate financial entity capable of attracting new investment and to help the men’s team comply with Premier League PSR rules.
Is Everton Women still owned by the same group?
Yes, the team is now owned by Roundhouse Capital Holdings, a company under the same umbrella as Everton FC and owned by Dan Friedkin.
What are the financial benefits of this move?
The estimated £60 million sale value can be recorded as profit, helping the club avoid further PSR breaches.
Have other clubs done the same?
Yes, Chelsea and Aston Villa also sold their women’s teams to parent companies in recent months.
Will Everton Women play at Goodison Park?
Yes, the women’s team will continue to use Goodison Park for their home matches.
