Ipswich Town have announced that two new Americans, both with top sports leadership experience, have joined the board of directors.

 

Marc Lasry, the former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise, has joined the Ipswich Town Football Club board, while Travis Viola, whose family own the Florida Panthers NHL franchise, is now on the Gamechanger 20 Ltd board.

Ipswich Town were taken over by the newly-formed Gamechanger 20 Ltd in April 2021, their funds coming from the large pension fund for retired public safety personnel in the state of Arizona.

In March this year, it was announced that a US-based private equity firm had purchased a stake in the club for a figure of £105 million.

Today's club statement reads: "Following the completion of Bright Path Sports Partners’ fundraising process, with the US-based fund now owning c44% of the club, the following additions have been made at board level.

"The co-founder, CEO and chairman of Avenue Capital, Marc Lasry, joins the board of Ipswich Town Football Club. Avenue Capital is one of the partners in the Bright Path investment in the club. Marc Lasry brings a wealth of experience in both business and sports, including from his time as former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise, winners of the NBA Championship in 2021.

"Travis Viola will join the board of Gamechanger 20 Ltd, the company formed to purchase Ipswich Town in 2021. The Viola family own and control the global trading platform Virtu Financial and the Florida Panthers NHL franchise. The Panthers were crowned Stanley Cup champions for the first time in June.

"In addition, former Town captain and club ambassador Matt Holland will also join the board of both Gamechanger 20 Ltd and Ipswich Town Football Club."

Town chief executive and chairman Mark Ashton, said: “The investment from Bright Path Sports has been a significant one at an exciting time for the club as we enter the Premier League.

“We are delighted to welcome both Marc Lasry and Travis Viola. Both bring invaluable experience as well as an outstanding track record in sport, having each won a major championship in the United States in recent years, and will be hugely valuable assets to the club.

“Matt Holland is, of course, an Ipswich Town legend and is an excellent addition to the board, bringing a unique perspective and deep understanding of the club’s values and goals.”

Marc Lasry of Avenue Capital said: “The club has demonstrated remarkable focus and energy in its successive promotions and we welcome the opportunity to support chairman Mark Ashton and the rest of the staff as Ipswich Town begins life back in the Premier League.”

After promotion to the Premier League was secured, majority shareholder Ed Schwartz said that 'we take our responsibility as caretakers of this great club very, very seriously'.

In an exclusive interview with the EADT and Ipswich Star, he went on to stress that the club's new investors respected the club's values and 'would not meddle'.

He added: "Bringing new investors to the table wasn’t just about money. It was about bringing in people with certain expertise who could help us get to the next level."

The Gamechanger 20 Ltd board is now made up of: Ed Schwartz, Travis Viola, Sam Simon, Jake Zahnow, Brett Johnson, Mark Ashton, Tom Ball and Matt Holland.

The ITFC board is made up of: Ed Schwartz, Marc Lasry, Mark Ashton, Berke Bakay, Tom Ball, Luke Werhun and Matt Holland.