{{Short description|Miami-based private investment firm}} {{use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = 777 Partners | logo = 777 partners-768x464.jpg | image = Brickell Financial Centre I (Brickell World Plaza) March 2011.JPG | image_size = 250px | image_caption = Headquarters at Brickell World Plaza | type = Privately-held investment company | founded = {{Start date and age|2015|09|01}} | founder = {{ubl|Steven Pasko|Josh Wander}} | hq_location_city = Miami, Florida | num_locations = 3 (Miami, London, New York City) | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Ian Ratner (executive of B. Riley Financial, from May 6, 2024)|Ronald Glass (executive of B. Riley Financial, from May 6, 2024)|Steven Pasko (co-founder and former managing partner, until May 6, 2024)|Josh Wander (co-founder and former managing partner, until May 6, 2024)|}} | assets = <!--Do not add without a reliable third-party source--> | num_employees = <!--Do not add without a reliable third-party source--> | subsid = {{unbulleted list|Red Star FC|CR Vasco da Gama|Hertha BSC}} | website = [http://www.777part.com 777part.com] }} '''777 Partners''' is an American private investment company based in Miami. Founded in 2015, it acquired several soccer clubs, such as Genoa CFC in Italy, Standard Liège in Belgium, Red Star FC in France, CR Vasco da Gama in Brazil, and Hertha BSC in Germany. It also has a minority stake in Spanish club Sevilla FC. The company owned the London Lions basketball team and had a large minority stakeholding in the British Basketball League (BBL). The company is also a shareholder in low-cost carrier Flair Airlines.
777 Partners has been involved in a number of legal and financial proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. In the United States and Belgium, the firm has faced civil lawsuits related to payment disputes, including a Belgian court ruling in 2023 that permitted the seizure of certain assets.<ref name=telegraph/><ref name=athletic/><ref name=ap/>
In 2024, aircraft linked to the firm were seized in Canada in connection with payment disputes.<ref name=ctv/> That same year, its airline Bonza entered voluntary administration,<ref name=bonza/> and the operating company of the British Basketball League had its license revoked by British Basketball.<ref name=license/>
In July 2024, A-CAP, an American insurance firm that invested in 777 Partners, informed several football clubs that it had assumed ownership stakes.<ref name=rtbf>{{cite news |title=Le Standard a changé de propriétaire : voici ce que révèlent les nouvelles accusations contre 777 Partners et A-CAP au Tribunal de New York|trans-title=Standard has changed owner: here is what the new accusations against 777 Partners and A-CAP at the New York Court reveal |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/le-standard-a-change-de-proprietaire-voici-ce-que-revelent-les-nouvelles-accusations-contre-777-partners-et-a-cap-au-tribunal-de-new-york-11428337 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |publisher=RTBF |date=September 3, 2024 |language=French}}</ref> On October 9, 2024, 777 Partners entered bankruptcy proceedings in the United Kingdom.<ref name=bankrupt>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=777 Partners fall into bankruptcy months after Everton takeover bid failed |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/777-partners-fall-bankruptcy-months-30103828 |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=October 9, 2024}}</ref>
==Soccer==<!--Do not change to football, company is American, page is in American English--> ===Sevilla=== 777 Partners' first investment in soccer<!--Do not change to football, company is American, page is in American English--> was to purchase a minority stake in Spanish La Liga club Sevilla FC in 2018.<ref name="aarons">{{cite news |last1=Aarons |first1=Ed |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Collective goals: multi-club ownership is changing world football's landscape |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/04/rise-of-multi-club-ownership-in-football-777-partners-hertha-berlin |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> In 2020, it elevated its share to 7.5%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alba |first1=Jesús |date=19 October 2020 |title='777 Partners' adquiere el paquete de Rodri y eleva su capital al 7,5% |language=Spanish |trans-title='777 Partners' acquires Rodri's stake and raises its capital to 7.5% |work=Diario de Sevilla |url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sevillafc/Partners-compra-paquete-Rodri-capital_0_1511849027.html |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> 777 does not legally own shares in Sevilla as its involvement is as the owner of a group called Sevillistas Unidos S.L.. The latter organization has denounced 777 for listing Sevilla as one of "Our Portfolio Brands" on its website.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Florido |first1=E. |title=Accionistas Unidos denuncia el uso del escudo del Sevilla por 777 Partners|trans-title=Shareholders Unidos denounce use of Sevilla badge by 777 Partners|url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sevillafc/Accionistas-Unidos-denuncia-uso-escudo-Sevilla-Partners-777-americanos_0_1639336384.html |access-date=May 4, 2024 |publisher=Málaga Hoy |date=December 18, 2021 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
Sevilla had been identified by 777 Partners as an opportunity for investment due to their focus on buying and selling players under sporting director Monchi. Their investment had been greeted with suspicion due to the club's history of being owned by local dynasties.<ref name=nyt/>
777 Partners' investment around Sevilla was allegedly funded in part by a loan from Oleg Boyko, a Russian businessman sanctioned by several countries for reported connections to the Russian state. In 2024, Boyko allegedly demanded 777's shares in Sevilla as collateral for his loan.<ref name=nyt/><ref>{{cite news |title=El multimillonario ruso Oleg Boyko reclama las acciones de los americanos en el Sevilla FC|trans-title=Russian multimillionaire Oleg Boyko demands the Americans' shares in Sevilla FC|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/orgullodenervion/noticias-sevilla-fc/multimillonario-ruso-oleg-boyko-reclama-acciones-americanos-20240513161627-nts.html |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=ABC |date=May 13, 2024 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
===Genoa=== In September 2021, 777 Partners bought 99.99% of Italian Serie A club Genoa CFC, the country's oldest club, founded in 1893. It became the sixth club in the league to have an American owner, and the transaction to buy the club from long-term owner Enrico Preziosi was estimated at €150 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Italian club Genoa bought by U.S. investment firm 777 Partners |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/soccer-us-777-partners-acquires-full-ownership-italys-genoa-soccer-club-2021-09-23/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Reuters |date=23 September 2021}}</ref> The club hired former AC Milan and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko as the club manager in November, firing him in January 2022;<ref>{{cite news |title=Genoa sack Shevchenko after only two months in charge |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en/football/news/genoa-sack-shevchenko-after-only-two-months-i/1815336 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=beIN Sports |date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> Genoa ended the season relegated (as did another US-owned team, Venezia FC),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jonathan |title=American owned clubs struggle: Bordeaux, Genoa and Venezia sought stability but found relegation |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/american-owned-clubs-struggle-bordeaux-genoa-and-venezia-sought-stability-but-found-relegation/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=CBS Sports |date=May 17, 2022}}</ref> but were immediately promoted back into the top division in May 2023.
James Horncastle wrote in May 2024 that Genoa fans were not antagonistic toward 777, partly due to a history of mismanagement by Preziosi. Horncastle mentioned that Genoa had a one-point deduction for a late tax payment in their 2022–23 Serie B promotion season.<ref name=nyt/>
On 18 December 2024, Genoa CFC announced that new majority stakeholder Dan Șucu, a Romanian businessman and owner of FC Rapid București and Mobexpert had taken over the club by paying €45m for 77% of the club.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Official: Genoa change ownership as Dan Șucu completes takeover |url=https://football-italia.net/genoa-change-ownership-dan-sucu-takeover/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=football-italia.net |language=en-GB}}</ref>
The following day, A-CAP released a statement advising that they still own the club, however, the board of Genoa CFC maintains that the sale is final.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alfaro |first=Jill R. Shah, Luca Casiraghi, Tiago Ramos |date=2024-12-19 |title=Fight Erupts Over Who Really Owns Italy's Oldest Football Club |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/international/2024/12/19/fight-erupts-over-who-really-owns-italys-oldest-football-club/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=BNN Bloomberg |language=en}}</ref>
===Vasco da Gama=== In February 2022, 777 Partners bought 70% of CR Vasco da Gama, a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club from Rio de Janeiro for R$700 million, valuing the club at R$1.7 billion. The transaction was the biggest in the history of Brazilian football, and came off the back of a change in legislation allowing clubs to adopt new legal structures by becoming limited companies and sourcing finance from private equity markets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2022 |title=Brazil's Vasco da Gama sells $333m stake to US investor 777 Partners |url=https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2022/02/22/brazils-vasco-da-gama-sells-333m-stake-us-investor-777-partners/ |access-date=May 23, 2023|website=Inside World Football }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vasco faz acordo para vender 70% do clube por R$ 700 milhões|trans-title=Vasco reach agreement to sell 70% of the club for R$700 million |url=https://oestadoce.com.br/esportes/vasco-faz-acordo-para-vender-70-do-clube-por-r-700-milhoes/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=O Estado |date=February 21, 2022 |language=Portuguese}}</ref>
Fans protested against 777 Partners in the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season, as the club found itself in the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Furioso, Luva de Pedreiro protesta contra 777 Partners após derrota do Vasco|trans-title=Furious, Luva de Pedreiro protest against 777 Partners after Vasco defeat |url=https://www.terra.com.br/esportes/furioso-luva-de-pedreiro-protesta-contra-777-partners-apos-derrota-do-vasco,4442517574b02bc4fcdac29343bda84ehcsvx1dc.html |access-date=September 15, 2023 |work=Terra |date=July 3, 2023 |language=Portuguese}}</ref> The team survived, and signed players including France international Dmitri Payet, but fans continued to protest, vandalizing the stadium in May 2024.<ref name=nyt/>
Within a month of taking over, Wander said that Vasco would have a comparable budget the next time they played city rivals CR Flamengo, one of the wealthiest clubs in Brazil. Plans to renovate the training complex were held up by municipal ownership of the land. After delays in payment, a local judge in May 2024 suspended the contract by which 777 Partners took over Vasco da Gama, in a preliminary ruling.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last1=Boyland |first1=Patrick |last2=Lang |first2=Jack |title=How the crisis gripping 777 Partners is affecting the clubs in their portfolio |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5495332/2024/05/16/777-everton-standard-vasco-genoa-hertha-red-star-victory/ |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
===Standard Liège=== [[File:Standard liege kaerjeng02.jpg|thumb|In 2024, a Belgian court ruled that 777 Partners' assets in the country could be seized, including the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.]] In March 2022, 777 Partners bought 100% of Standard Liège in the Belgian Pro League for €55 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Le Standard de Liège officialise sa reprise par le fonds d'investissement américain 777 Partners |trans-title=Standard Liège confirm their acquisition by the American investment firm 777 Partners|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-standard-de-liege-officialise-sa-reprise-par-le-fonds-d-investissement-americain-777-partners/1321667 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=L'Équipe |date=March 12, 2022 |language=French}}</ref> The fans protested in September 2023 over what they believed to be a lack of investment and ambition.<ref>{{cite news |title=« Sans pognon, pas d'ambition » : le message des supporters du Standard à 777 Partners avant le match contre le RWDM (photo)|trans-title="Without money, no ambition": Standard supports' message to 777 Partners before the match against RWDM (photo) |url=https://www.lesoir.be/534771/article/2023-09-02/sans-pognon-pas-dambition-le-message-des-supporters-du-standard-777-partners |access-date=September 23, 2023 |work=Le Soir |date=September 2, 2023 |language=French}}</ref> In December 2023, Standard Liège was given an indefinite transfer ban by national authorities for alleged delays in paying taxes, salaries and transfer fees.<ref>{{cite news |title=Standard Liege confident transfer ban will be short-lived |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/standard-liege-confident-transfer-ban-will-be-short-lived-2023-12-21/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |publisher=Reuters |date=December 21, 2023}}</ref>
In May 2024, former Standard owner Bruno Venanzi and the former owners of the club's Stade Maurice Dufrasne demanded the seizure of 777's assets in Belgium over alleged non-payment.<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Tom |title=Everton's prospective owners 777 face legal demand for seizure of assets in Belgium |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/07/everton-prospective-owners-777-legal-demand-seizure-belgium/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=May 7, 2024}}</ref> Later that month in protest against 777, Standard fans blocked the team bus from leaving the training center before a game against Westerlo, leading to the game being postponed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Standard Liège game off after fans block team bus in protest against 777 Partners |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/10/standard-liege-fans-protest-against-777-partners |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |date=May 10, 2024}}</ref> A court ruled that 777's assets in Belgium could be seized.<ref name=ap>{{cite news |title=More trouble in Belgium for Miami-based 777 Partners after court authorizes seizure of assets |url=https://apnews.com/article/standard-liege-owner-777-partners-777660d93798bd180bd33c2d8603478c |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
After 777's soccer clubs passed into ownership of A-CAP, the latter put Standard up for sale in September 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sauvage |first1=Kevin |title=Vente du Standard: aucune offre concrète n'a été faite mais A-CAP reste confiante|trans-title=Sale of Standard: no concrete offer has been made but A-CAP remain confident |url=https://www.lesoir.be/620446/article/2024-09-05/vente-du-standard-aucune-offre-concrete-na-ete-faite-mais-cap-reste-confiante |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=Le Soir |date=September 5, 2024 |language=French}}</ref> In June 2025, the ownership transferred to Giacomo Angelini, alongside a capital increase of €28.7 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Standard completes share transfer to CEO Angelini and capital increase |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1615652/standard-completes-share-transfer-to-ceo-angelini-and-capital-increase |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=The Brussels Times |date=June 6, 2025}}</ref>
===Red Star=== 777 Partners bought Red Star FC of the French third-tier Championnat National in April 2022. The club was founded in 1897 by Jules Rimet, who was later president of FIFA. The takeover was met with backlash due to the club's working-class and left-wing history, and concerns that the club would become a farm team for 777's other assets. Former presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon was one of several politicians to sign a letter published in ''Le Monde'', stating "For us, Red Star is a common good that cannot be sacrificed on the altar of profit."<ref>{{cite news |title=French left cries foul over US takeover of Red Star soccer club |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220513-french-left-cries-foul-over-us-takeover-of-red-star-soccer-club |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=France 24 |date=May 13, 2022}}</ref> Éric Coquerel, the parliamentary deputy whose constituency includes Red Star's home of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, has campaigned for laws against multi-club ownership.<ref name=yaffe/> Red Star won promotion to Ligue 2 in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=National. Le Red Star officiellement promu en Ligue 2 malgré sa défaite contre Dijon|trans-title=National. Red Star officially promoted to Ligue 2 despite their defeat to Dijon|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/red-star/national-le-red-star-officiellement-promu-en-ligue-2-malgre-sa-defaite-contre-dijon-12412a82-fe84-11ee-a017-98428192dcc2 |access-date=May 2, 2024 |work=Ouest-France |date=April 19, 2024 |language=French}}</ref>
===Melbourne Victory=== [[File:Nathan Konstandopoulos training July 2023.jpg|thumb|777 Partners purchased a stake in Melbourne Victory FC, sponsored by its subsidiary Bonza]] In October 2022, 777 Partners bought a minority stake in Melbourne Victory FC of the Australian A-League Men<ref>{{cite news |last1=Monteverde |first1=Marco |title=A-League club joins portfolio of Miami-based 777 Partners |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/aleague-club-joins-portfolio-of-miamibased-777-partners/news-story/40b43e85582dd265707651f076977347 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=News.com.au |date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> for AU$8.7 million. The following January, the club's shareholders voted in favor of allowing 777 Partners to secure up to 70% over the next five years, in exchange for AU$30 million in investment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Jackson |title=Victory shareholders back US private equity bid, former director warns of 'bad deal' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/victory-shareholders-back-us-private-equity-bid-former-director-warns-of-bad-deal-20230131-p5cgvm.html |access-date=September 15, 2023 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 31, 2023}}</ref>
The voluntary administration of 777 Partners' Australian airline Bonza in 2024 meant that Melbourne Victory were sponsored by AIA Group for the playoffs that year, before a long-term deal with Turkish Airlines could begin in 2025.<ref name=nyt/>
===Hertha BSC=== The company took a 64.7% stake in Hertha BSC of the German Bundesliga in March 2023, after its sale by Lars Windhorst, who had been majority shareholder since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fahey |first1=Ciáran |title=Miami-based 777 Partners takes 64.7% stake in Hertha Berlin |url=https://apnews.com/article/hertha-berlin-investor-takeover-miami-777-dc723e7a87affcce607b7b0488c56378 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Associated Press |date=March 11, 2023}}</ref> Due to German football's 50+1 rule, 777 does not control the club. The company faced protests from Hertha's fans.<ref name=yaffe>{{cite news |last1=Yaffe |first1=Simon |title=Everton takeover: What might club & fans expect from 777 Partners? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66854292 |access-date=May 2, 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=September 23, 2024}}</ref>
In May 2024, ''The Athletic'' reported that fans were less antagonistic toward 777 at Hertha Berlin than at other clubs in their portfolio, partly due to the controversies and low points of Windhorst's ownership.<ref name=nyt/>
===Everton bid=== In September 2023, 777 Partners agreed to buy Farhad Moshiri's 94.1% shareholding in English Premier League team Everton F.C.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/15/everton-owner-farhad-moshiri-agrees-to-sell-shares-to-777-partners|title= Everton's Farhad Moshiri agrees sale of club to American firm 777 Partners|work=The Guardian|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref> In April 2024, with the deal not complete and after the 777-owned Australian airline Bonza entered voluntary administration, Everton called upon the services of insolvency advisers Teneo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodley |first1=Simon |title=Everton call in insolvency advisers amid fresh doubt over 777 takeover |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/30/everton-call-in-insolvency-restructuring-advisers-777-takeover-doubt |access-date=May 2, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> Amid lawsuits against 777 Partners in other countries, the Everton Shareholders' Association wrote to Moshiri requesting that he terminate the deal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hafez |first1=Shamoon |title=Everton group call for end to takeover 'farce' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cld0p90qywqo |access-date=May 8, 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=May 7, 2024}}</ref>
777 enlisted B. Riley Financial for advice to complete the deal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hafez |first1=Shamoon |title=777 call in finance experts as Everton uncertainty grows |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c1rv19ygje4o |access-date=May 12, 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=May 10, 2024}}</ref> According to 777's own lawyers, Wander and Pasko resigned as managers of the company on May 6, 2024, but remained as its 100% owners.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agini |first1=Samuel |last2=McCrum |first2=Dan |last3=Smith |first3=Ian |title=How a bet on Everton engulfed a football investor and its financial backers |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d0b2eae1-0369-40a3-b6f8-73df5a1bc2a9 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=Financial Times|date=May 24, 2024}}</ref> On June 1, 2024, the deadline for the deal to be completed expired.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ogden |first1=Mark |title=Everton seek new buyer after deal with 777 Partners collapses |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40254450/everton-seek-new-buyer-deal-777-partners-collapses |access-date=June 9, 2024 |publisher=ESPN|date=June 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5534744/2024/06/03/everton-777-takeover-msp-rmf-moshiri/ Everton and 777 Partners; Where the failed takeover leaves the Grand Old Firm] ''New York Times'' June 3, 2024</ref>
==Aviation== ===Flair=== [[File:Bonza Airlines (VH-UJT) Boeing 737 MAX 8 parked at Sunshine Coast Airport.jpg|thumb|A Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Bonza, at Sunshine Coast Airport]] 777 was the owner of low-cost carrier Flair Airlines.<ref name=aarons/> In June 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency ruled that Flair is a Canadian airline and can fly domestically, as 777 owns 25% of the shares and had limited its influence on the board since the beginning of the CTA investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Potkins |first1=Meghan |title=Flair Airlines can keep flying in Canada, regulator rules |url=https://financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/flair-airlines-keep-flying-canada-cta |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=Financial Post |date=June 1, 2022}}</ref>
On March 11, 2023, Airborne Capital Ltd. seized four of its planes operated by Flair over alleged non-payment. In a press conference, Flair CEO Stephen Jones suggested the seizures were motivated by competitors, and that the airline owed around US$1{{nbsp}}million on the leases, and was in the process of making payment when the seizures occurred.<ref name=ctv>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/flair-apologizes-for-cancellations-after-plane-seizures-says-leasing-company-in-talks-with-competitor/|title=Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor|website=CTVNewsEdmonton|date=March 14, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Atkins |first1=Eric |title=Flair Airlines has four airplanes seized after failing to pay the leasing company, causing several cancelled flights |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-airlines-boeing-planes-lease/ |website=The Globe and Mail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311191410/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-airlines-boeing-planes-lease/ |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |language=en-CA |date=March 11, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The lessor, Airborne alleged that Flair had repeatedly missed payments amounting to several millions of dollars over a period of five months. Flair used other aircraft to continue to operate its schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/flair-apologizes-for-cancellations-after-plane-seizures-says-leasing-company-in-talks-with-competitor/|title=Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor|last=Mulcahy|first=Karyn|website=CTV News|date=March 14, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref> In January 2024, it was reported that the lessors had filed claims at the UK High Court for costs and that there had been outstanding payments of $1.8 million on the four aircraft when notice of default was served.<ref>{{cite web | title = Lessors chase 777 Partners for $28m alleging non-payment for Flair 73… | url = https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/lessors-chase-777-partners-for-28m-alleging-non-payment-for-flair-737s/156425.article | date = 2024-01-10 | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20240110152202/https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/lessors-chase-777-partners-for-28m-alleging-non-payment-for-flair-737s/156425.article | archivedate = 2024-01-10 }}</ref>
In August 2024, interim CEO Maciej Wilk said that 777's stake in Flair was down to 10% and the company's involvement was mostly as a lender, having no presence in the boardroom.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seal |first1=Thomas |title=Canada's Flair Airlines Discusses Balance Sheet Restructure |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-27/canada-s-struggling-flair-in-talks-to-restructure-balance-sheet |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=Bloomberg News |date=August 27, 2025}}</ref>
===Bonza=== From October 2021 until it entered voluntary administration in April 2024, 777 Partners owned Australian airline Bonza.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dye |first1=Josh |title=The US private equity giant funding Australia's new budget airline Bonza |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/bonza-us-private-equity-giant-funding-australias-new-airline/101918156 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=ABC News |date=February 1, 2023}}</ref><ref name=bonza>{{Cite news |last=Visontay |first=Elias |last2=Transport |first2=Elias Visontay |last3=reporter |first3=urban affairs |date=2024-04-30 |title=Bonza enters voluntary administration after abruptly cancelling all flights across Australia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/30/bonza-airlines-flights-cancelled-updates-news-today-budget-routes-services-suspended |access-date=2024-04-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 777 Partners, not the airline, was responsible for the failed lease payments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Jake |date=2024-05-06 |title=Exclusive: 777 Partners was responsible for paying for Bonza's Leases|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/05/exclusive-777-partners-was-responsible-for-paying-bonzas-leases/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=Australian Aviation|issn=0813-0876}}</ref> Bonza's administrators made all of the airline's staff redundant in June 2024 and voted to wind up the company on July 2. The administrators said "Whilst 777 Partners did provide funding, the funding was insufficient for the level of debt incurred, which continued to increase, particularly from November 2023 to the date of our appointment."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Jake |title=All over for Bonza as creditors vote to liquidate |url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/07/all-over-for-bonza-as-creditors-vote-to-liquidate/ |access-date=August 30, 2024 |publisher=Australian Aviation |date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>
In September 2024, the United States Department of Justice opened an investigation into 777 Partners and its investor A-CAP regarding allegations of money laundering.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Emily |last2=Potaka |first2=Elise |last3=Sonnenschein |first3=Lara |title=US authorities investigating whether budget airline Bonza's investors broke money laundering laws |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-01/bonza-airline-investors-probed-by-authorities-money-laundering/104412908 |access-date=October 4, 2024 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 30, 2024}}</ref>
==Other investments== In 2019, 777 Partners bought the London Lions, London's sole men's professional basketball team. They then invested £7 million for 45% of the British Basketball League (BBL). 777 sold a slight minority stake in the London Lions to O.G. Anunoby and became the first British team to ever qualify for EuroCup playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2023 |title=O.G. Anunoby becomes part-owner of the London Lions |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1491148/o-g-anunoby-becomes-part-owner-of-the-london-lions/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Eurohoops}}</ref>
In May 2024, British Basketball revoked the license of the operating company behind the BBL, due to concerns over its financing.<ref name=license>{{cite news |title=British Basketball League operators have licence terminated over finances |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/14/british-basketball-league-operators-have-licence-terminated-over-finances |access-date=July 13, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> The BBL folded and was replaced by Super League Basketball.<ref name=city/> In August 2024, administrators Hudson Weir allowed the London Lions to be sold to Tesonet, the creators of NordVPN and owners of Lithuanian team BC Žalgiris. The new owners defended their decision to keep Lenz Balan, former vice president of 777 Partners, as CEO of the Lions.<ref name=city>{{cite news |last1=Dalleres |first1=Frank |title=Exclusive: London Lions' new owners defend controversial CEO appointment |url=https://www.cityam.com/exclusive-london-lions-new-owners-defend-controversial-ceo-appointment/ |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=City A.M. |date=September 1, 2024}}</ref>
In 2022, 777 invested in STX Entertainment, a global film studio known for producing films such as ''Molly's Game'', ''The Irishman'', and ''Ferrari''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Wiseman |first2=Andreas |date=July 27, 2022 |title=STX & Lionsgate In Talks For Strategic Partnership |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/stx-lionsgate-distribution-marketing-partnership-1235079055/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
==Controversy== During the negotiations to buy Vasco, Brazilian newspaper ''O Globo'' revealed that Wander had been convicted in 2004 for ordering cocaine in the mail while a 22-year-old student of the University of Florida.<ref name=aarons/><ref>{{cite news |title=Vasco: condenação de Josh Wander por tráfico de 31g de cocaína, de 2004, repercute nas redes sociais; 777 diz que 'incidente ficou para trás'|trans-title=Vasco: Josh Wander's sentence for trafficking 31g of cocaine, in 2004, reverberates on social networks; 777 says that 'the incident stays in the past'|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/futebol/vasco-condenacao-de-josh-wander-por-trafico-de-31g-de-cocaina-de-2004-repercute-nas-redes-sociais-777-diz-que-incidente-ficou-para-tras-25439205 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=O Globo |date=March 18, 2022 |language=Portuguese}}</ref> Facing a possible 26-year sentence, he pleaded no contest and received 15 years of probation, that ended in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alabama man indicted, faces murder charges |url=https://www.redandblack.com/news/alabama-man-indicted-faces-murder-charges/article_473a3734-9de4-5e78-a6f5-d84d6c421edd.html |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Red & Black |date=February 11, 2004}}</ref><ref name=aarons/> Wander's conviction<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kay |first1=Oliver |title=Everton's proposed takeover by 777 Partners underlines the depth of their desperation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4877977/2023/09/20/everton-777-partners-takeover/ |access-date=October 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=September 20, 2023 |quote=Even if 777 co-founder Josh Wander’s 20-year-old conviction for drug trafficking is not an issue, [...]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Douglas |first1=Mark |title=Who are 777 Partners? What we know about Everton's buyers, the other clubs they own and the takeover explained |url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/777-partners-who-everton-buyers-takeover-explained-2620046?srsltid=AfmBOoqv0D7tLO0LZwh52wd8qlYoGpAY34r1Tb6KvBLza4m_1B2P8a7m |access-date=October 5, 2024 |work=i |date=September 16, 2023 |quote=Given it is a spent conviction, it is not expected to stop him from being named as a director.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Benge |first1=James |title=Everton set to be sold to US investment fund 777 Partners, pending official Premier League approval |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/everton-set-to-be-sold-to-us-investment-fund-777-partners-pending-official-premier-league-approval/ |access-date=October 5, 2024 |publisher=CBS Sports |date=September 15, 2023 |quote=The firm strenuously deny those allegations and have labelled a drug conviction against Wander, [...]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=How long Everton takeover could take amid 777 Partners talks with Farhad Moshiri |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-long-everton-takeover-could-27706445 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=September 14, 2023 |quote=It is highly unlikely that such a conviction from 20 years ago would be a barrier, particularly after Wander was elected to the board of directors of the European Clubs Association [...]}}</ref> has been brought up in the media, and in an interview with the ''Financial Times'' he called it a "stupid college thing" and a "perfect opportunity for those people that are haters to try to destroy you with things that are somewhat meaningless".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=Who are 777 Partners? US firm in 'advanced talks' over Everton takeover |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-777-partners-takeover-news-26271554 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>
Norwegian football investigation website Josimar wrote in 2023 that 777 was facing allegations of financial impropriety, including fraud and unpaid bills. 777 condemned Josimar's article as "wholly misleading".<ref name=yaffe/>
777 Partners have been sued by multiple organizations for unpaid debts and contract breaches with lawsuits describing their financial practices as a "house of cards"<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Obra Capital Management LLC v 777 Partners LLC and Steven W. Pasko |url=https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/fbem/DocumentDisplayServlet?documentId=4mj/XJTuMAZFHcl4YmQVbw==&system=prod |court=New York Supreme Court}}</ref><ref name=athletic>{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Matt |title=Would-be Everton owners 777 described as 'crumbling house of cards' in lawsuit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5327405/2024/03/08/777-everton/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=The Athletic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last2=Tan |first1=Chris |last1=Dolmetsch|first2= Gillian |date=2024-03-13 |title=Would-Be Everton Owner 777 Partners Faces Lawsuit Over Asset Transfers |url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2024/03/13/764571.htm |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Insurance Journal}}</ref> and a "sprawling fraudulent enterprise".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The reinsurer under fire over owner's football team bid |url=https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/the-reinsurer-under-fire-over-owners-football-team-bid-481236.aspx |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.insurancebusinessmag.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-10 |title=The Mystery Company With One Foot in the Premier League |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/europe/everton-777-premier-league.html|website=The New York Times |access-date=2024-03-15 }}</ref>
In May 2024, American insurance firm Advantage Capital Holdings LLC (A-CAP), a major investor in 777 Partners, hired Moelis & Company to review 777's portfolio. A-CAP's loans had been secured against 777's assets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hellier |first1=David |title=777's Football Empire Under Review After Lender Hires Moelis |url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2024/05/28/775855.htm |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=Insurance Journal |agency=Bloomberg |date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> In July, A-CAP wrote to 777 Partners' soccer clubs to inform them that it was the new owner.<ref name=rtbf/> In October 2024, 777's UK entity was declared bankrupt by the High Court.<ref name=bankrupt/>
In August 2025, Delaware judge Christian Douglas Wright put 777 Partners into limited receivership over unpaid legal bills of nearly $600,000 for former CFO Damien Alfalla.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Birns |first1=Hilka |title=Miami-based 777 Partners placed in limited receivership |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/157559-miami-based-777-partners-placed-in-limited-receivership |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=CH Aviation |date=August 26, 2025}}</ref>
In October 2025, Wander was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud. Prosecutors alleged that Wander and his associates defrauded lenders and investors of nearly $500 million through a scheme involving fabricated financial statements, doctored records, and double-pledged collateral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-17 |title=777 Partners Co-Founder Faces $500M Fraud Charges|url=https://aeroavian.news/777-partners-co-founder-faces-500m-fraud-charges/ |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.777part.com/ Official website]
Category:2015 establishments in Florida Category:Companies based in Miami Category:American companies established in 2015 Category:Financial services companies established in 2015 Category:Investment management companies based in Florida