Just over two years ago, Foley made his intentions clear to buy into Scotland, as he looked to make Hibs the undisputed third force in Scotland. He said: “I’m fascinated by the Scottish Premier League (sic). They play hard, Scots are tough. They play a tough brand of football. And I believe there are opportunities to make one of the No. 4, 5 or 6 SPL teams to get them to No.3 and they play in Europe. I believe we can pull that off with not a gigantic investment – and be a minority investor, be supportive of that club."placeholder image
Just over two years ago, Foley made his intentions clear to buy into Scotland, as he looked to make Hibs the undisputed third force in Scotland. He said: “I’m fascinated by the Scottish Premier League (sic). They play hard, Scots are tough. They play a tough brand of football. And I believe there are opportunities to make one of the No. 4, 5 or 6 SPL teams to get them to No.3 and they play in Europe. I believe we can pull that off with not a gigantic investment – and be a minority investor, be supportive of that club." | Getty Images

Bill Foley and 22 key Hibs moments that have paved path to stake sale talks as new disagreement sparks endgame

By Ben Banks

Sports editor and journalist

Published 12th Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
Updated 12th Nov 2025, 12:28 GMT

Bill Foley is looking to sell his minority shareholding at Hibs after less than two years.

It started with a big money investment - but Bournemouth owner Bill Foley looks set to look elsewhere after a new disagreement with Hibs.

The American buisnessman invested into the Premiership side in February 2024 through his Black Knight Football Club, and took exception to the hire of David Gray as head coach and Malky Mackay as sporting director that summer. It looked like water under the bridge though as a third place finish was clinched last term, and Garvan Stewart arrived as head of recruitment following a lengthy Bournemouth stint, but new division has emerged.

Foley is looking for Hibs to take more of a feeder club form for Bournemouth and that is a no-go for chairman Ian Gordon, who will not risk any chance of the Easter Road side being diminished by Black Knight’s vision. It’s been a topsy turvy ride with several major moments, but here are 22 moments that paved the path from initial interest to selling up for Foley at Hibs.

Foley emerged in a rare interview to suggest he had eyes on a new club, that he'd make a feeder team. He 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. We want Bournemouth to be a destination for people, one they will enjoy. It’s the only way we can stay competitive. But you have to have good people.”

21. Feeder club (08/11/25)

Foley emerged in a rare interview to suggest he had eyes on a new club, that he'd make a feeder team. He 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. We want Bournemouth to be a destination for people, one they will enjoy. It’s the only way we can stay competitive. But you have to have good people.” | Getty Images

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Bournemouth's owner enters talks with the Gordon Family over selling his 25% shareholding at Easter Road. The Black Knight group have expressed desires for Hibs to take more of a feeder club form for the Cherries down south. That notion has been opposed by Hibs and it’s part of the reason why Foley is seeking to invest elsewhere, with Easter Road chairman Ian Gordon strongly against any chance of the Premiership side being diminished by the Black Knight’s future vision.

22. Endgame (11/11/25)

Bournemouth's owner enters talks with the Gordon Family over selling his 25% shareholding at Easter Road. The Black Knight group have expressed desires for Hibs to take more of a feeder club form for the Cherries down south. That notion has been opposed by Hibs and it’s part of the reason why Foley is seeking to invest elsewhere, with Easter Road chairman Ian Gordon strongly against any chance of the Premiership side being diminished by the Black Knight’s future vision. | SNS Group

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