The Eisner’s Tornante Company have now been in ownership of Portsmouth FC for almost nine years, taking over from the Pompey’s Supporters Trust in August of 2017 after Pompey gained promotion from the fourth tier.
On Monday night, it was announced to Pompey fans that there has been a shift in the distribution of ownership over the Portsmouth men’s and women’s teams.
Under this shift, Michael Eisner (the owner and chairman of Portsmouth) has distributed 73.5% of his previous 100% as owner of the football club. He now holds 26.5% of the club’s shares with his sons Eric, Breck and Anders holding 24.5% of the club’s shares equally.
Michael Eisner, as majority shareholder, still owns 100% of voting rights for the club – this shift, as he describes it, “puts on paper what has existed from the very start – a family focused approach to the ownership of this club.”
This shift also represents what is a commitment to the goal of ‘succession planning’ for the club which means that ownership will be maintained throughout the generations.
To read the full club statement you can click here.
The Eisner’s obtaining of Portsmouth in 2017 has undeniably coincided with success at the club. Portsmouth have since reached the League One play-offs on multiple occasions, won the 2019 EFL Trophy, become champions of League One and survived the drop in their first season back in the Championship.
However, the constant criticism that themselves and the Tornante company have been met with is the accusation of a lack of investment and ‘cheaping out’ on success.
The most expensive acquisition for the Blues under the Eisners remains to be John Marquis, with an estimated price for the ex-Doncaster striker bieng in the region of £1.4 million all the way back in 2022. In more recent times, Hayden Matthews cost in the region of £1.3 million.
Despite the fact that these have been clear signs of ambition for the club shown by the Eisners, when compared to clubs around them today in the Championship, these numbers are dwarfed.
Derby County, who came up with Pompey in the 2023/24 season in second place, have since made real statement signings, such as the acquisition of Patrick Agyemang which could reach £7.5 million with additions.
The sight of other clubs splashing out this sort of money undoubtedly leaves Portsmouth fans with a tint of jealousy.
However, ultimately the Eisners have brought with them clear financial stability throughout their time at the club, something that had not been present and had even been abused by previous owners, resulting in the club falling down the entire football pyramid to begin with.
In the short term, these changes may not have the biggest of affects on the football club however, the long term implications are a statement of intent from the Eisner family to maintain their role as owners of Portsmouth FC.
