Former Padres Co-Owner Fowler’s Surprising Move: What Lincoln’s New Controlling Stake Means for the Future

A former Major League Baseball executive and co-owner of the San Diego Padres is about to make waves across the pond by stepping up to take control of League One’s Lincoln City. Ron Fowler, an American entrepreneur who initially dipped his toes into Lincoln’s waters with a minority stake back in April 2024, is on the verge of ousting Harvey Jabara as the majority owner—pending the English Football League’s green light, of course. This move isn’t just about ownership; Fowler, through his company Liquid Investments, plans to expand his share to over 25%, a switch that signals full control—and with that comes the mantle of chairman at LNER Stadium, where he’ll be tasked with steering the club’s finances in the immediate future. With Lincoln currently eyeing promotion and managing some hefty losses, Fowler’s arrival could be the fresh injection they need, especially as he’s already earmarked funds for various stadium projects. Having shifted his focus to English football after stepping away from the Padres in 2022, Fowler’s blend of sports savvy and business foresight is set to be a game-changer for the rising club. LEARN MORE

A former executive chairman and co-owner of Major League Baseball team the San Diego Padres is set to take a controlling stake in League One club Lincoln City.

American Ron Fowler initially bought a minority interest in third-tier Lincoln in April 2024, and he is now poised to replace Arizona-based Harvey Jabara as the majority shareholder if his bid is cleared by the English Football League.

Lincoln’s board approved a proposal from Fowler to increase his stake – through his company Liquid Investments – to more than 25% on 11 December.

Fowler, whose son Andrew is also involved in the club, will take on the position of chairman at LNER Stadium and will “assume responsibility for the funding of the club for the immediate future”.

The ownership shake-up at Lincoln, who are second in the table, was confirmed as a “future development” in the club’s annual accounts covering the 12 months up to June 2025.

“Acquiring 25% or more of the share capital is regarded by the EFL as acquiring control and consequently Liquid Investments Inc will need to demonstrate they are eligible to acquire control and are able to and will provide the necessary funding to ensure the club can continue to operate post-acquisition,” the club noted in its report.

Fowler will take on responsibility for a promotion-chasing club that reported a loss of just under £2.9m relating to the 2024-25 season.

While the club’s turnover was a record £8.5m, up from just under £7m the previous season, their losses were down from just under £3m a year earlier.

It was also a season in which the club’s shareholders put £3.6m into the club.

Funding that Fowler now intends to put into the club is said to have already been “earmarked” for “various projects at the LNER Stadium”.

Fowler is a business owner in the beverage industry in the United States.

He turned his attention to English football after his involvement in the Padres came to an end in March 2022, having served as vice-chairman after passing on control of the MLB team 16 months earlier.