The former co-owner of Major League Baseball team the San Diego Padres has been confirmed ast Lincoln City's new chairman.
American Ron Fowler, who was heavily involved in the Padres for a decade after he headed a group that took control of the MLB side in 2012, has taken up the role at the League One club after increasing his stake in the Imps to more than 25%.
The 81-year-old first bought a minority share in the English third tier side in April 2024, and is now the club's second biggest investor behind the fellow American Harvey Jabara and his family, who maintain a stake of more than 28%.
The interest Fowler now has in the Imps' parent company – Lincoln City Holdings – means he will "assume responsibility for the funding of the club for the immediate future".
- Fowler drawn to Lincoln by ‘David and Goliath’ appeal
- Listen to Ron Fowler on BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Red Imps Club podcast
Fowler has previously spoken to BBC Radio Lincolnshire about the “David and Goliath” appeal of investing in a Lincoln City side that is pushing for promotion to the Championship.
Lincoln are second in the League One table with a third of the season remaining, and sit above a number of sides that have played in the Premier League in the past 15 years – including Bolton Wanderers and Huddersfield Town, who are both in the play-off places below the Imps.
Fowler's promotion from director to chairman sees him replace Clive Nates, who held the position since 2018.
Nates, who now holds a 22.72% stake in the club, takes on the role of co-vice chairman alongside Jay Wright.
