The Black Knight Group spent £6million on a minority shareholding in the Hibees but is now set to cash in
22:28, 11 Nov 2025Updated 22:36, 11 Nov 2025
Bill Foley
Bill Foley is set to sell his share in Hibs less than two years after buying into the Easter Road club.
The American businessman is in talks to sell the 25 per cent shareholding held in the Hibees by his Black Knight Group, according to the Scottish Sun.
And it’s majority shareholders the Gordon family who are said to be keen to do a deal with the Bournemouth owner.
They currently own around 60 per cent after former chairman, the late Ron Gordon, took control from Sir Tom Farmer back in 2019.
He was replaced as chair by son Ian, and the family could yet take a firmer grip of the Leith club if a deal can be struck with Foley.
The initial plan following the £6million investment was for the Black Knight Group to fund developments at the club’s East Main training base, Easter Road Stadium and also increase the first team playing budget.
Hibernian director Ian Gordon
However, the relationship between the group and the Hibs hierarchy appeared strained when Foley publicly revealed his disapproval at the club appointing Malky Mackay as sporting director and David Gray as head coach in summer 2024.
And he suggested that the Hibees would have enjoyed more success on the pitch if they listened to the suggestions being makde by the Black Knights.
He said: “If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better.
“So far, they really haven’t been listening to our input. I believe they will listen to our input now.
“We have a very good relationship with Lorient. They are listening and are hiring the right people to develop that club.”
Tim Bezbatchenko’s appointment to the board ad the NK’s rep appeared to have smoothed things over to an extent.
However, Hibs’ position in the group’s hierarchy of clubs, including the Cherries and French outfit Lorient, has proved a sticking point, with Foley keen for the club to provide more feeder benefits to Premier League Bournemouth.
It’s a desire that has been pushed back on vehemently from within Hibs and is now thought to be a major factor in Foley looking to cut and run.
Speaking over the weekend, Foley said: “We’ve chosen to find other clubs for a feeder system.
“But we want to hire the sporting director, the coach, the analysts, for the teams to play the way Bournemouth play, so that if we do have to pay a fee for a player, we are paying ourselves.
“We want everyone – coaches, players, analysts – to feel that being part of our system is to their benefit.”