Crystal Palace co-owner involved in new $34m London investment

Crystal Palace co-owner David Blitzer is part of a $34 million of investment into a new sports meets entertainment concept pioneered by the brothers who started the popular Topgolf and Puttshack.

Steve and Dave Jolliffee are the brains behind Poolhouse, a bar-restaurant entertainment concept that looks to breathe new life into popular bar game pool. In an email relayed via Sportico, Lloyd Danzig, managing partner at lead investor Sharp Alpha, said: “Despite its long-standing global popularity, pool remains one of the last sports to embrace the possibilities of tech-enabled gameplay, still relegated to antiquated pool halls and the backrooms of smoke-filled dive bars,. There is an opportunity to reshape how people perceive and play the game of pool.”

Danzig and Sharp Alpha are joined by Crystal Palace co-owner Blitzer’s and Ipswich Town co-owner Simon Sports, Active Partners in a $34 million investment. Australia’s Signature Hospitality Group has also taken an equity stake and signed a franchise agreement with Poolhouse.

Crystal Palace co-owner makes Poolhouse investment

The classic game of pool is set to be revamped by technology with projection mapping on the traditional table. This is set to offer a number of different ways to play the game and a handicapping ability too. The first Poolhouse location is set to be near London Liverpool Street Station in the capital and will take up 21,500 square feet.

As well as games of pool, there will be a drink menu created by the Venning brothers, who are best known for their Three Sheets bars in London. Sportico also adds that a former Gordon Ramsay Group executive chef will lead the food menu at the new venture. Following its London opening, it’s expected that the Poolhouse group launches globally with talks underway for locations in the Middle East, North America, Europa and Southeast Asia.

David Blitzer involvement at Selhurst Park

55-year-old Blitzer has held a stake in Crystal Palace ever since 2015. The American joined Josh Harris in taking a large share in the club, with the pair already owning the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils. At the time, Steve Parish said that shareholders had agreed an "initial £50m injection of capital" to develop the club's stadium.

In a joint statement, Harris and Blitzer said: "We couldn't be more excited to be joining the Crystal Palace family. We were drawn to the club's rich history, exciting brand of football, strong leadership and, above all, its passionate fans.

"We look forward to supporting Steve in his role as the operating co-owner and leader of the club. Crystal Palace has a storied legacy, a bright future and we're proud to become a part of it."

Blitzer also manages several football clubs under Global Football Holdings. He owns 25% of the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians and is a limited partner of the NFL’s Washing Commanders. Those deals made him the first person to own team equity in the five major sports leagues of North America.

In other news, this is how Crystal Palace fare against Premier League rivals in a new table without VAR this season.