Bill Foley, owner of the Las Vegas Golden Knights ice hockey team and AFC Bournemouth, is in talks with Hibs about buying a minority stake in the club.

The 78-year-old heads up Black Knight Football and Entertainment (BKFE), a US-based group of investors who bought the Cherries in December last year, shortly before acquiring a 33 per cent stake in French side Lorient. The group was also named as the preferred bidder for Australia's A-League expansion franchise in Auckland, New Zealand and is said to be keen on investing in a Belgian team as well.  

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Foley revealed in September that he was exploring the possibility of investing in a Scottoish Premiership club. Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast he said: "We’re not going to be Manchester City - they’ve got 12 or 13 teams around the world. But I believe if we have a Belgian club, we’re going to own 100 per cent of [Lorient] in a few years because it’s sort of set up on a phased basis. 

“I’m fascinated by the Scottish Premier League [sic]. I believe there are opportunities to make one of the fourth, fifth, or sixth [ranked] Scottish clubs and get them third and in Europe. I believe we can pull that off with not a gigantic investment. We’d be a minority investor, a supporter of the club. I know we can help a Scottish top-flight team. I believe if we can end up with four or five economic interests in various clubs that we will have the system in place for players to advance and move onto the next club, and the next club, and we’ll have similar analytical staff in place and technical directors who will look for the right type of players who can ultimately play for Bournemouth."

The Hibs Observer understands further talks are planned between Hibs chiefs and Foley, whose involvement is not expected to alter the Gordon family's leadership. Following the passing of Ron Gordon, widow Kit and son Ian, formerly head of recruitment at the Easter Road side, vowed to continue his legacy and continue driving the club forwards on and off the park, having already funded improvements at the stadium and training centre.