The family of Tom Piatak, CEO of Jacksonville-based Magellan Transport Logistics, has acquired control of a British soccer team.
Piatak’s Castle Sports Group announced Nov. 21 it acquired Carlisle United Football Club.
The Northern England team plays in EFL League One, the third tier of British soccer behind the Premier League and the EFL Championship league. Carlisle is about 300 miles north of London and 100 south of Glasgow, Scotland.
“Our family has worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition, and we are grateful for the cooperation of all parties involved in making this deal a reality,” Castle Sports Group said in a news release.
According to British media reports, the Piataks courted Carlisle’s supporters to gain their approval for the takeover.
Castle received 98% of the vote in favor the deal from the Carlisle United Official Supporters Club, which owned 25.4% of the team, according to a September report by television network ITV.
The report said the supporters’ stake will be reduced to 10% under Castle’s ownership.
“We look forward to continuing engaging with the Carlisle United community and working collaboratively to achieve our shared goals. Together, we aim to create a football club that not only competes at the highest level but also serves as a source of pride for the local community,” Castle said.
British soccer teams have the opportunity to move up to higher leagues or be relegated to lower leagues, depending on their place in the league standings at the end of the season.
Carlisle currently ranks 22nd out of 24 teams in Football League One with a record of three wins, five draws and nine losses. It has 29 games remaining this season.
Terms of the deal were not announced.
Piatak is the third businessman with ties to Jacksonville to own a British soccer team.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan acquired the Premier League’s Fulham FC in 2013.
A partnership led by Fidelity National Financial Inc. Chairman Bill Foley acquired AFC Bournemouth of the Premier League last year.
Foley also owns the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights.
