Ipswich Town appoint former captain Matt Holland to board along with Avenue Capital co-founder Marc Lasry while Travis Viola joins Gamechanger 20 Ltd directors
Ipswich Town have revealed club legend Matt Holland will be stepping into the boardroom in a new role along with two businessmen who have enjoyed success in American sports.
Former Republic of Ireland international Holland, who was the captain the last time the Blues featured in the Premier League, will step up from his club ambassador role to join the board of directors at the Portman Road-based club. It comes after he joined the board of Ipswich Town Community Trust – the club’s community arm – in October 2021.
The 50-year-old is one of two new appointments to the Blues’ board, along with Avenue Capital co-founder Marc Lasry, a Moroccan-born billionaire is the former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise.
The Suffolk club have also announced that Travis Viola, part of the family who owns the Florida Panthers NHL franchise, has joined the board of Gamechanger 20 Ltd along with Holland. It was formed by an American consortium – a group including businessmen Brett Johnson, Berke Bakay and Mark Detmer – to purchase the club back in 2021.
It comes off the back of US private equity fund Bright Path Sports Partners investing £105 million back in March to secure a major stake in Town – valued at around 44 per cent.
A club statement read: “The club can confirm further additions to the board of directors.
“Following the completion of Bright Path Sports Partners’ fundraising process, with the US-based fund now owning c44 per cent of the club, the following additions have been made at board level.
“The co-founder, CEO and chairman of Avenue Capital, Marc Lasry, joins the board of Ipswich Town Football Club.
“Avenue Capital is one of the partners in the Bright Path investment in the club.
“Marc Lasry brings a wealth of experience in both business and sports, including from his time as former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise, winners of the NBA Championship in 2021.
“Travis Viola will join the Board of Gamechanger 20 Ltd, the company formed to purchase Ipswich Town in 2021.
“The Viola family own and control the global trading platform Virtu Financial and owning the Florida Panthers NHL franchise. The Panthers were crowned Stanley Cup champions for the first time in June.
“In addition, former Town captain and club ambassador Matt Holland will also join the board of both Gamechanger 20 Ltd and Ipswich Town Football Club.
“The investment from Bright Path Sports has previously seen the fund’s co-founder, Jake Zahnow, and investor Sam Simon of Simon Sports join the board of Gamechanger 20 Ltd.”
Town CEO Mark Ashton, who recently all became the club’s chairman following Mike O’Leary, said: “The investment from Bright Path Sports has been a significant one at an exciting time for the club as we enter the Premier League.
“We are delighted to welcome both Marc Lasry and Travis Viola. Both bring invaluable experience as well as an outstanding track record in sport, having each won a major championship in the United States in recent years, and will be hugely valuable assets to the club.
“Matt Holland is, of course, an Ipswich Town legend and is an excellent addition to the board, bringing a unique perspective and deep understanding of the club’s values and goals.”
Following his appointment, Lasry, of Avenue Capital, said: “The club has demonstrated remarkable focus and energy in its successive promotions and we welcome the opportunity to support chairman Mark Ashton and the rest of the staff as Ipswich Town begins life back in the Premier League.”
