[REACTION] Any concern that Liverpool was getting a fly-by-night operation with its new owners was put to rest by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, speaking Tuesday at the Leaders in Football conference in London.

"They have a tremendously robust understanding of the sports business and how to protect and enhance the legacy of the historic brand," he said of New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Boston Red Sox and is headed by John Henry.
 
Garber described the Red Sox Nation as similar to Liverpool's support and credited Henry and company for their work since buying the Red Sox in 2002.

''The ownership has not only graced that but enhanced it, they have enhanced and renovated the stadium, they have brought modern technology to improve the fans experience," he said. "They have put championship teams on the field and managed their enterprise with an eye to profitability, so they are tremendous pro-sports team owners.''

Asked to compare Henry and company to the owners they are replacing, Tom Hicks and George Gillette, Garber replied, ''I can't speak for the difference between Gillett and Hicks and John Henry and his partners. But if you are a sports fan in the USA, pick two or three of the most revered and successful clubs in our nation's sporting history and the Red Sox are one of them. I don't know if you could say the same about the teams owned by Mr. Gillett and Mr. Hicks.''