American father and son duo Ron and Andrew Fowler have joined Lincoln City’s investment group.
Ron and Andrew Fowler have joined the investment group at Lincoln City through their Liquid Investments, Inc. entity, which will initially take a 12.6% stake in Lincoln City Holdings.
Ron is a long-term friend and associate of Lincoln City majority stakeholder Harvey Jabara.
He led the ownership group and acted as executive chairman and control person for Major League Baseball side the San Diego Padres from 2012 to 2020, and was previously owner and managing general partner of the San Diego Sockers football team.
The 79-year-old is the former chair of Major League Baseball’s Labor Policy Committee and member of MLB’s Executive Council. He continues to work with MLB in an advisory capacity.
Ron is recognised as a leader in the beverage industry, through his Liquid Investments firm. They trade in beers, bottled water, tea, energy drinks and other beverages.
He was instrumental in delivering a new ballpark for San Diego, and chaired the San Diego Super Bowl Task Force and the 2003 Super Bowl Host Committee.
Ron said: “I have a lot of respect for Harvey and it was clear when I met Clive [Nates] and Liam [Scully] that these were people I could work with. I have experienced success in the sporting world before, both in baseball and football, and look forward to contributing to Lincoln City’s continued growth quietly in the background.”
The Fowlers have joined fellow American’s Jabara and former Everton forward Landon Donnovan in taking interest in SkyBet League One side Lincoln City.
Harvey Jabara said: “Ron is a serial winner both in his business and sport interests, not to mention his incredible passion to give back to his community, leading significant philanthropic endeavours benefitting countless individuals and organisations over many decades.
“He has been very generous with his time and advice to me over many years, and his leadership of the San Diego Sockers and the Padres has been a model for my involvement in Lincoln City. At no time in my professional career has someone reminded me more of my father than Ron Fowler. With that, I have no higher praise for an individual.
”I felt it was important to really get to know this club and its fans, as well as the city, before asking for investment from colleagues. I believe we have truly progressed as a club under Clive’s leadership, developing our infrastructure and investing in permanent signings, and the opportunity to call upon Ron and Andrew for advice will help us continue to develop.”
City chairman Clive Nates added: “From the moment I met with Ron there was an instant connection and I could see his approach would mirror the way we try to conduct ourselves at Lincoln City.
“Liam [Scully], Jez [George] and myself first visited Ron two summers ago to discuss our vision for the club, and it’s very clear we are aligned in how a sports organisation should be run and its obligations to its supporters and community. I know our supporters will give Ron and Andrew the same warm welcome they have given Harvey when they join us at Saturday’s fixture.”
Lincoln welcome Portsmouth on Saturday in their final game of the regular season, with a win potentially securing a play-off place.
Feature Image Credit: Lincoln City FC/Chris Vaughan