Unlike other partnerships in Scottish football, any potential deal with Brighton would not see Hearts become a feeder club or form an official affiliation with the Seagulls.
Tony Bloom, who took over Brighton in 2009, has transformed the club from a League One side to a Premier League contender. Now in their eighth season in the English top flight, Brighton also made their debut in European competition last season. Known for their impressive recruitment strategy, the club has scouted players globally and generated significant profits through smart transfers.
Bloom previously held a majority stake in Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (USG), who have since been promoted to Belgium’s top division and also qualified for European football during the same season as Brighton. However, to comply with UEFA regulations, Bloom reduced his shareholding in USG to a minority stake.
The proposed long-term goal is for Starlizard, Bloom’s data-driven company, to take on a minority stake at Tynecastle Park, home of Hearts. Currently, the Foundation of Hearts holds a 75.1% majority share, and any reduction of this stake would require 90% approval from the club’s supporters. Hearts have already experienced external investment, including from benefactor James Anderson.
Who are Starlizard?
Starlizard is a company specializing in data analytics, focused on providing insights into sports fixtures. By analyzing vast amounts of real-time data, they create adaptable models that drive decision-making. Their expertise lies in using in-depth match data, both on and off the field, to produce world-leading predictions.
