Geoff Brown, 80, is in talks over selling St Johnstone to an American buyer; a deal could be agreed before the end of the season; Brown family have held shares in the club since 1986
Tuesday 20 February 2024 16:30, UK
St Johnstone are in talks with a prospective American buyer over the sale of the club.
Owner Geoff Brown - who bought Saints in 1986 - announced he was selling his majority shareholding in December 2022, around the same time his son Steve stood down as chairman.
Negotiations over a sale are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with optimism that an agreement could be reached before the end of this season.
It is believed the US investor has also been in attendance at games this month and the Scottish FA has been notified over the potential for foreign investment at St Johnstone.
The Brown family have held a majority shareholding in the club for almost four decades, with 80-year-old Geoff sanctioning a move from Muirton Park to its current home of McDiarmid Park shortly after taking control in the 1980s.
As well as moving to a new stadium, St Johnstone won their first three major trophies, competed in European football and enjoyed their longest top-flight stint under the Browns.
When putting the club up for sale, Brown said "net proceeds" from the deal would be put towards building a community hub for the St Johnstone community trust.
St Johnstone - who sacked Steven MacLean at the start of the season when in bottom spot - are currently 10th in the Scottish Premiership, five points clear of the relegation play-off place and eight ahead of Livingston at the foot of the table.
Should the talks between Brown and the American buyer prove to be successful, St Johnstone would be the third top-flight club under US ownership.
Hibernian are owned by the Gordon family, with the late Ron Gordon acquiring a majority shareholding in 2019. Another American, Bill Foley, could join that ownership group next week if his bid to buy 25 per cent of the club is approved at the club's AGM.
Dundee are owned by American businessman Tim Keyes, while city rivals United - who are currently in the Championship - are owned by Mark Ogren.
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