What was Portsmouth FC owner Michael Eisner doing before he joined the club? | OneFootball

Eisner saw some welcome success at Fratton Park last season

It is now over six years since Michael Eisner completed his takeover of Portsmouth Football Club.

Back in March 2017, it was reported that Eisner and his company had entered into exclusive talks to purchase a controlling stake in the club.

After several months of negotiations, it was eventually confirmed that the American had taken control of the Fratton Park club in August 2017.

It had been suggested when an agreement over the takeover had been reached earlier that year, that Eisner would pay £5.67million to buy 100% of the club, while investing £10million in equity.

Having completed that takeover, it has since been something of an eventful period in charge for the American, although a more stable one for Portsmouth than had previously been the case.

When Eisner's takeover of the club was officially confirmed in August 2017, they had just won promotion from League Two, after four years in the fourth-tier English.

That had been after a period in which they had plummeted down the leagues amid a raft of financial issues, which had even seen them enter administration.

After coming out of administration in 2013, Portsmouth had been a fan-owned club until Eisner completed his takeover at Fratton Park in August 2017.

Right from the start of their return to the League in the 2017/18 season, Pompey were competitive in terms of challenging for promotion, although they would be largely frustrated.

There were several seasons in which the club fell short of claiming a top six spot, while they were also beaten in the play-offs in two consecutive years.

Some consolation came with victory in the EFL Trophy in the 2018-19 season, and they would also reach the final of that competition the following campaign.

In the league, after falling short on several occasions, things finally changed last season under in manager John Mousinho's first full campaign in charge.

An excellent campaign saw Portsmouth claim the League One title in near dominant fashion, securing a return to the Championship for the first time since 2012.

The backing of Eisner has certainly helped the club to that success with his investment, but how did he earn the money that has enabled him to fund the club in recent times?

Eisner has a background in the entertainment business

While he may have bought Portsmouth back in 2017, Eisner had been making a name for himself for some time before that.

The American has previous been involved in film and television entertainment, working with a number of broadcasters in his home country.

As well as working with major networks NBS, CBS and ABC, Eisner was also president of film studio Paramount Plus between 1976 and 1984.

After leaving the company, Eisner then took over the role of Chief Executive Officer of Disney, a role he held for 19 years until September 2005.

During his time there, he was credited with the improvement the company's animation studios, as well as acquiring other networks such as ABC and ESPN for Disney.

In 2005, as well as leaving Disney, Eisner also set up his own investment firm, The Tornante Company.

The firm has invested and acquired a number of media and entertainment brands, including Omaze and Topps, while also forming the production studio Vuguru.

It is also through Tornante that Eisner funded his takeover of Portsmouth back in 2017, and after a tough start to life back in the Championship, it will be interesting to see if that continues to be a profitable move for those involved this season.