bet365 Co-CEO Now Owns Stoke City FC Outright

This week English Football League club Stoke City revealed that the team's Championship side is now outright owned by John Coates, the co-CEO of betting group bet365.

The changes were made with all debts related to the club's operation being cleared out, with the team now owning their home grounds bet365 Stadium as well as Clayton Wood. The operator has long had ties to the club, as bet365 Co-Founder Peter Coates was the former Chairman of Stoke City from 1986-1998. bet365 was founded in 2000 by Peter Coates' daughter Denise Coates. The operator currently serves as the shirt sponsor of the club.

While the ownership structure is changing, the club's Board of Directors will remain unchanged, as will day-to-day operations.

Regarding the changes, Coates commented, saying: "My family and I remain steadfast in our commitment to Stoke City, so it's very much business as usual.

"Infrastructure projects at the stadium and our training facility will continue during the coming years at pace, and Potters' supporters can rest assured that investment in the playing squad will continue to be maximised within our competition rules.

"Everything we do is geared towards bringing long-term success to Stoke City and representing our fanbase and local community in a way that makes people proud."

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