Following the news over the weekend that D.C. United owner Jason Levien (as part of an ownership group which involves Steve Kaplan of the Memphis Grizzlies) was in talks to purchase Premier League team Swansea City, now comes new word that Levien and Kaplan's group will take a reduce share of majority ownership. The deal, originally said to be worth up to $140 million, will apparently be reduced from a 75% stake in the Swans down to 60%. The reason for the group in accepting this restructured deal appears to be to allow some of Swansea's minority owners to retain their share. The Swansea Supporters' Trust, who have ownership in more than 20% of the club, will not have their share affected.
Speaking of the Trust, they met Thursday night to discuss the deal and try and answer any questions from the shareholders in the group. The Trust executives expressed disappointment that the current ownership not informing them that talks with Levien's group had been ongoing, and the Trust will continue to evaluate the deal and weigh in as details are learned. The article notes there are three people in Levien's group that are not named. Whether Levien's fellow D.C. United owner Erick Thohir is one of those people seems doubtful, though coincidentally news came out that Thohir is apparently selling 20 percent of his ownership in Inter Milan to a group from China in the coming weeks to help cover various expenses with the Serie A club.
The restructured deal seems to have assuaged those in Wales and one reporter says the deal is expected to close within a week:
The sale of Swansea City to US businessmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan expected to be concluded within a week. More now on #SSNHQ
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) April 14, 2016
Regardless of the deal being closed or not, it's not expected to impact Levien's status with the Black-and-Red or the stadium plans at Buzzard Point.