Mighty Barrolle, once Liberia’s most iconic football club and a pillar of unity, now suffers from financial instability, ownership uncertainty, and, ultimately, relegation from Liberia’s top division. At the heart of this crisis lies a critically unresolved question that has persisted for many years: Who really owns Mighty Barrolle? Not even the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has a definitive answer.

The motivation behind this commentary is not to let an institution that once brought unity, pride, and joy to an entire nation perish in silence. As a lifelong Mighty Barrolle fan, this article builds on a 2013 commentary titled Redeem Mighty Barrolle or Lose Prime Unification Heritage, where I clearly stated that the strategy used to support the club, centered on ad hoc fundraising and emotional appeals, was neither financially sustainable nor aligned with sound management principles. Regrettably, the recommendations for equity ownership were ignored, and the club’s condition has since deteriorated. Still, redemption is possible through the introduction of sustainable financial systems rooted in equity investment.

A Crisis of Identity

Mighty Barrolle is more than a football club. It is a national symbol, one that has historically united Liberians across tribes and regions. Yet today, it is managed without a strong legal framework, without a workable business model, and with no formalized financial foresight. Its once-vibrant youth system is nonexistence, and its fan base is disillusioned.

The time is now for people of Grand Bassa to take the first step in assuming ownership of Mighty Barrolle. The club must be seen not only as a source of pride but also as an asset worthy of investment and a symbol of Grand Bassa’s enduring legacy.

This is not unprecedented. In Kenya, the Luo tribe mobilizes around Gor Mahia. In Ghana, the Ashanti Kingdom underpins Asante Kotoko. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, TP Mazembe’s strength lies in Katanga’s business elite. Egypt’s Al Ahly operates as a national trust with broad-based community buy-in, while Kano Pillars in Nigeria have found balance through partial state support and private investment. Hence, the people of Grand Bassa ought to rise, including town chiefs, clan chiefs, paramount chiefs, district commissioners, the superintendent, and parliamentarians, to protect their heritage, Mighty Barrolle, from imminent extinction. Emotional support is no substitute for ownership, and wistfulness is no replacement for the capital needed to make Mighty Barrolle once again the leader of football in Liberia.

Structure and Financial Weakness

Barrolle has endured financial weaknesses for many years. Without a clearly defined ownership structure, Mighty Barrolle remains vulnerable to absence definitive ownership, a lack of accountability, and continued financial instability. The absence of reliable revenue streams means the club cannot invest in essential areas such as youth development, infrastructure, or competitive salaries to attract and retain talent. Moreover, the club has suffered from hesitancy among potential investors due to the lack of clarity and ownership structure. This must change with a renewed emphasis on establishing equity ownership of Mighty Barrolle.

The Way Forward

To redeem Mighty Barrolle, the club must be incorporated as a legal shareholding entity by formalizing its ownership through equity investment. This will restore legal identity, promote accountability, and attract serious investors.

With the proper market value calibrated and approved by the LFA, I propose that shares of Mighty Barrolle be categorized into three tiers:

• Gold Shareholders: $10 per share (minimum 10, maximum 100 shares)
• Silver Shareholders: $5 per share (minimum 10, maximum 100 shares)
• Bronze Shareholders: $1 per share (minimum 10, maximum 100 shares)

The initial fundraising targets would be $200,000 in Year 1, $150,000 in Year 2, and $200,000 in Year 3. With just 1,000 committed Gold Shareholders each owning 10 shares, the club could raise $100,000 in its first phase alone. This model is practical, given Mighty Barrolle’s massive fan base, particularly within the Bassa community.

In this new model, the Board of Directors will include equity shareholders. The Board must be separate from professional management, which should operate in adherence to a strategic plan and an annual budget submitted to the Board for approval. At year-end, management must present a performance report to the Board and publish it for transparency.

Equity shares should be offered to: Bassolians (including town chiefs, clan chiefs, district commissioners, superintendents, members of the House, and leadership structures within Grand Bassa County), Liberians in the diaspora, former players, club alumni, local businesses, philanthropic investors, fans, and civil society organizations. These groups should serve as board members and equity holders to ensure local governance, cultural guardianship, and accountability.

The success of clubs like Gor Mahia, Asante Kotoko, TP Mazembe, Al Ahly, and Kano Pillars provides a roadmap. These clubs combine passionate community ownership, strong governance, and diversified revenue streams to maintain competitiveness and financial health.

The Role of the Liberia Football Association (LFA)

The Liberia Football Association must play a stronger role by establishing a Financial Market Unit to regularly value clubs, document equity ownership, and assess financial sustainability. This unit should register all share certificates and handle any disputes related to equity participation and dividend distribution. By institutionalizing financial oversight, the LFA can improve investor confidence and attract new capital into Liberian football. Revitalization Strategy

It’s time to move from crisis to solution through definitive ownership of Mighty Barrolle. Revitalizing the club demands collective investment. Political leaders, traditional authorities, business figures, former players, fans, and civil society must rally behind this cause. Formalizing Barrolle’s ownership requires legal steps to drive cultural revival and professional standards. Without these reforms, the club risks fading into irrelevance.

The revival of Mighty Barrolle is not just about football, it is about restoring a national symbol through structure, capital, and committed governance. If we succeed with revitalization of Mighty Barrolle, other legacy clubs like Invincible Eleven (IE) can follow. Let this be the turning point.