John W Henry: net worth of Liverpool FC owner - and what he said in apology for European Super League proposal

Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry has apologised for his part in the proposed European Super League

Henry said in a video posted by the club on Twitter that the breakaway project would only have worked with fans' full support.

The ‘big six’ Premier League teams who have signed up to the ESL project all sensationally withdrew last night.

Why the Premier League clubs pulled out of the European Super League – and what happens next

"I want to apologise to all the fans and supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the last 48 hours," he said.

"It goes without saying but should be said, the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans.

"No-one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you."

Henry spoke of the "hurt" being felt and also apologised to manager Jurgen Klopp, his staff and players "and to everyone who works so hard at LFC to make our fans proud".

"They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption," Henry said. "They were the most disrupted and unfairly so. This is what hurts most.

"They love your club and work to make you proud every single day. I know the entire LFC team has the expertise and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward.

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"More than a decade ago when we signed up for the challenges associated with football we dreamed of what you dreamed of and we've worked hard to improve your club.

"Our work isn't done and I hope you understand that even when we make mistakes, we're trying to work in your club's best interests."

Henry said he took full personal responsibility for "the unnecessary negativity" and that fans had displayed their "rightful power".

"In this endeavour I've let you down and I'm sorry and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the last couple of days," he said.

"It's something I won't forget and shows the power the fans have today and will rightfully continue to have.

"If there's one thing this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it's how crucial fans are to our sport, and to every sport - it's shown in every empty stadium.

"It's been an incredibly tough year for all of us, virtually no-one unaffected, and it's important the Liverpool FC family remain intact, vital and committed.

"From what we've seen of you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that. Thanks for listening."

Who is John W Henry?

John William Henry II is a 71-year-old American businessman and investor and the founder of John W. Henry & Company, an investment management firm.

What is the net worth of John W Henry?

Forbes valued John W Henry’s net worth as being $2.8billion.

How did John W Henry make his money?

After acquiring a fortune in the early 1980s from his trading firm J.W. Henry & Co., John Henry started building a sports empire.

Henry and his partner Tom Werner bought the Boston Red Sox in 2002 for $380 million through their company New England Sports Ventures (NESV), and delivered the Sox' first World Series win in 86 years in 2004.

Who owns Liverpool FC?

NESV bought Liverpool from fellow Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks in 2009.

NESV formally changed their name to Fenway Sports Group in March 2011.

As well as Liverpool and the Red Sox, FSG own 80 percent of New England Sports Network, a regional sports cable and satellite television network and 50% of Roush Fenway Racing, a stock car racing team that competes in NASCAR events.

Holding an estimated 40% of the stock in FSG, John W Henry , is the principal owner, while Boston-based asset manager Michael Gordon holds 12% with no other shareholder owning more than 10%.