Russian businessman Maxim Demin is reportedly just weeks away from ending his near 11-year ownership of AFC Bournemouth.
Demin became then AFC Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell’s 50-50 partner, back in November 2011 after he purchased Jeff Mostyn’s 44% and Steve Sly’s 6% share of the football club
At that stage, he had been a regular visitor during the Cherries promotion season from the fourth tier of English football.
Having been co-owner during the Cherries promotion from the third-tier of English football, in September 2013 he bought out Mitchell and became the sole owner of AFC Bournemouth.
In November 2015, shortly after winning promotion from the second tier of English football and earning a place in the Premier League, Demin sold 25% of the football club to Chicago-based company Peak 6, however that relationship didn’t last long with Demin repurchasing the shares in January 2019.
Demin has remained in sole control of AFC Bournemouth, having successfully steered the club through two seasons that were heavily hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw crowds banned from stadiums, compounded by relegation from the Premier League.
The 2021/22 season saw crowds return and with it, AFC Bournemouth’s status as a side in the top flight of English football, winning promotion back to the Premier League in May 2022.
However, that association is about to end with Demin selling all of his shares, reportedly to American businessman Bill Foley, who already owns Ice Hockey side Las Vegas Golden Knights, who play in the NHL.
BREAKING: AFC Bournemouth owner Maxim Demin is in advanced talks over the sale of the club.
Bill Foley, owner of NHL side Vegas Golden Knights, is understood to be heading the takeover 🤝pic.twitter.com/UBofyhvKcN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 16, 2022
Sky Sports have reported that the talks are in an advanced stage and could be concluded before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins on 20th November.
Various reports, including from the Daily Echo, claim that the sale of the club could be worth £150million.
The current exchange rate between the pound and the dollar makes the acquisition even more tempting for American investors. Over the past 12 months the pound has dropped from 1.38 to 1.14, making any proposed deal even more attractive.
Everything I hear about Foley is very positive and suggests he will be a good owner for #AFCB. Max Demin cares too much about the club and what he has built up to sell to just anybody. https://t.co/yhxHyR45VS
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) September 16, 2022
Understandably the British media have been keen to try and get any official take on the speculation and asked temporary caretaker head coach Gary O’Neil for his take, he told Sky Sports News…
“I am not involved in any sort of discussions like that. I have been hard at work over the other side on the grass.
“Takeovers and discussions of that level are obviously a long way from my mind and what I’m focused on at the moment, which is Newcastle. It’s going to be a big test.”
When pushed if this could mean O’Neil staying in his current roll for longer he added…
“I’m not sure. I haven’t considered anything around takeovers, discussions upstairs, my position. Whatever that is it is.
“I know it’s boring for you guys but I am just fully focused. Literally, every minute of my day is taken up by how we go about Newcastle.
Bournemouth interim manager Gary O'Neil says discussions surrounding the takeover of the club are 'a long way from my mind and what I'm focused on' 👇 pic.twitter.com/gLSsVNOx9z
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 16, 2022
Your say…
billythekid wrote…
Well, there was interest once in building an Olympic size ice rink in Kings Park.
Used to enjoy watching ice hockey live on TV a number of years ago in this country.
Maybe this new owner might be interested in building a football stadium and ice rink next door, we could have a joint Season Tickets for both, unless it was a Cup game. 
😉
The ice rink from memory had Council backing as well. – Join the conversation, click here.
I feel that Gary O’ is doing a wonderful job so why try and ‘fix it if it ain’t broke’
There’s always the numbskulls who think someone could do a better job than Gary but no one I chat to should think he should be replaced.