World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) champion James Bord is leading a consortium to acquire Scottish Championship soccer team Dunfermline Athletic. The deal involves purchasing a 75% stake from German soccer investment group DAFC Fussball GmbH.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is expected to approve the sale to Bord and his fellow investors, US citizens Wai Yin Kelly Kung and Justin Royce Harkema. The group already holds minority ownership in Spanish La Liga 2 team Cordoba CF.

Bord, a former Citigroup banker, won the WSOP European Main Event in London in 2010, claiming $1.1 million. After leaving finance in his mid-20s, he focused on poker and sports betting, establishing the Poker Farm training and staking company. He currently leads Short Circuit Science, a San Francisco-based company specializing in sports data analytics and technology.

His venture into soccer ownership follows the path of his former mentors:

Tony Bloom ("The Lizard"):

• Operated Star Lizard, a successful gambling syndicate
• Purchased Brighton FC in 2019
• Transformed the team from third-tier to Premier League status

Matthew Benham:

• Former Star Lizard employee
• Invested in Matchbook betting exchange
• Acquired Brentford FC in 2012
• Led the team to Premier League promotion in 2021

Both mentors demonstrated how data-driven analysis could revolutionize soccer team management, a strategy Bord likely aims to implement at Dunfermline Athletic.

Related Articles

Previous Articles