Who is Dan Friedkin, Everton’s new American billionaire owner?
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The Friedkin Group confirmed a deal struck with owner Farhad Moshiri to buy Everton. AS Roma owner Dan Friedkin has finally bought out Everton majority owner Farhad Moshiri. The news of the deal’s completion brings to an end a long-running saga around the future of the Premier League club, which has taken a number of twists and turns.
![[Farhad Moshiri (right) is finally set to sell Everton]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/11/22/19/1458220073.jpg)
The American billionaire’s company, The Friedkin Group revived their interest in Everton after a takeover bid broke down in the summer. Friedkin decided not to pursue his interest in the Merseyside club due to complications relating to a loan of £200m to 777 Partners, which was thought to be unresolvable.
However, The Friedkin Group have now struck a deal with Blue Heaven Holdings, Moshiri’s company, which has been approved by the FA, the Premier League and the Financial Conduct Authority. Friedkin is a 59-year-old billionaire businessman who owns The Friedkin Group, which in turn owns Gulf States Toyota Distributors, based in Houston, Texas – which does what it says on the tin, distributing Toyotas around the US.
Friedkin comes from a line of wealthy American businessmen and pilots. His grandfather, Kenny Friedkin, founded Pacific Southwest Airlines in 1949, which was later sold to US Airways. Kenny’s son Thomas H Friedkin was also a pilot and part-time stuntman, who continued the business and successfully invested in Toyota distribution during the 1960s.
Dan Friedkin took charge of the family business at the turn of the century and branched out into the movie industry, acquiring production company Neon, which produced the Oscar-winning Parasite. He also co-founded the studio Imperative Entertainment. Friedkin doesn’t just watch from the sidelines, and won an award for ‘best speciality stunt’ after landing a 76-year-old Spitfire on the beach for the Hollywood blockbuster movie Dunkirk.
