Pearson eyes return to football industry
Keyword tags: Adam Pearson
By Richard Abbott, Editor
Sports entrepreneur Adam Pearson has vowed to make a return to football and named Leeds United as his dream club to do that with.
The current Hull FC rugby league chairman also highlighted the importance of Leeds returning to the Premier League for the city's economy. "Having 30 Premier League footballers in a city, buying dinner and gifts, is like having 30 small businesses," he said.
Pearson, who is turning his attention to the recruitment market with Pro Sports Recruitment (PSR), is well-known to Yorkshire and Humber sports fans, having sat on the board of some of our biggest clubs.
He previously owned and chaired football clubs Hull City and Derby County and is a former director of Leeds United. Speaking to Insider, he has also insisted he will make a return to the game.
"I will definitely get back into football," Pearson said. "I'm just looking for the right opportunity. I would like to go in with a consortium with a club that has huge potential."
When pushed for a name, he added: "The one that stands out is Leeds United."
Dubai-based private equity group GFH Capital, a subsidiary of Bahraini investment bank Gulf Finance House, became the 100 per cent shareholder of Leeds United in November.
Previous owner Ken Bates will remain chairman until the end of the 2012-13 season, upon which he will become president.
The new owners have promised to inject funds for working capital and to support manager Neil Warnock's desire to strengthen the team.
Pearson says it was essential for the local economy that Leeds has a top-flight football club.
"Everybody in Leeds needs that club back in the Premier League. A city of this size should have a Premier League club."
Pearson set up PSR in late 2012 with old friend Tony Doherty, owner of Leeds-based recruiter Tigercom. The company aims to provide a tailor-made search facility for sports organisations "from ticket office to boardroom".
"It is an idea that we have had for a few years. The sports sector needs servicing in just the same way as other sectors," said Pearson, who is managing partner.
He said PSR has a database of more than 2,000 people who are either working within the professional sports industry or have transferable skills, adding that it was already working with "half a dozen" Premier League football clubs.
To read the full interview with Adam Pearson, pick up a copy of Yorkshire Business Insider, out now.
