Ex-MLB owner worth $1.95billion set for controlling stake in EFL club

Ron Fowler, the former owner of Major League Baseball team San Diego Padres, is set to acquire a controlling stake in Lincoln City.

The American businessman bought a minority stake in the League One outfit in April 2024 alongside his son, Andrew, through his company Liquid Investments.

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And Fowler is now poised to become chairman of the Imps, after a bid to acquire a majority stake of over 25 per cent in the club.

In December, Fowler had a proposal approved for Liquid Investments to increase its shareholding in Lincoln.

The bid is subject to EFL approval, and would see him replace Arizona-based Harvey Jabara as the majority shareholder if successful.

It would also mean Fowler takes over from Clive Nates as chairman at LNER Stadium.

In a statement, Lincoln confirmed that Nates will join Jay Wright as co-vice chairman, and will remain a key figure at the club.

The ongoing EFL process means Lincoln are currently restricted in what information they can share.

However, the club revealed Fowler and Nates would give a ‘full and detailed update’ once this is complete, expected to be within the two weeks.

Lincoln confirmed their ownership shake-up as a ‘future development’ in the club’s annual accounts covering the 12 months leading up to June 2025.

The report explained: “Acquiring 25 per cent or more of the share capital is regarded by the EFL as acquiring control and consequently Liquid Investments Inc will need to demonstrate they are eligible to acquire control and are able to and will provide the necessary funding to ensure the club can continue to operate post-acquisition.”

Fowler is a leading figure in the US beverage industry, and served as chairman of the Padres between 2012 and 2020.

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This came after he headed up a group that took majority control of the MLB side.

He turned his attention to English football after his involvement in the Padres ended in March 2022, having served as vice-chairman after passing on control of the team 16 months earlier.

And Fowler is now set to take responsibility for Lincoln, who reported a loss of just under £2.9million in relation to the 2024/25 season.

While the club’s turnover was a record £8.5m, an increase of just under £7m on the previous season, their losses were down from just under £3m a year earlier.

He will be making the key decisions as the club target promotion to the second tier for the first time in over 60 years.

Lincoln are currently second in League One, four points behind leaders Cardiff, and two ahead of third-placed Bradford.

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Under manager Michael Skubala, the Imps have won 14 of their 25 games, and have 48 points on the board.

They last competed in the second tier of English football in the 1961/62 season, when they were relegated from Division Two.