Chinese magnate and ‘Moneyball’ maven set to purchase lower league English soccer team together
Former American baseball player Beane set to take a 10 per cent stake in English club

“Moneyball” baseball executive Billy Beane is joining a consortium including Chinese businessman Chien Lee and American investor Paul Conway to acquire English soccer club Barnsley, a source close to the matter revealed on Friday.

Chinese businessman Chien Lee, who is majority shareholder at French top tier club Nice, would become the majority shareholder of the English club if the deals goes through. American businessman Conway is also a director at Nice.
Billy Beane, a former American baseball player portrayed by US actor Brad Pitt in the hit film “Moneyball”, will take a 10 per cent stake in the club, the source said. Beane is a minority owner of US baseball team Oakland Athletics.

Chinese investment in European soccer – which boomed last year amid state support – has lost some of its glitz after a crackdown by China’s government on capital outflow amid concern over depreciation of China’s currency and excess capital flight.
