Private equity influx in rugby will not save entire club game August 31, 2022 It’s no new phenomenon to see sports clubs, which tend to be at the heart of the community they serve, face financial challenges and ultimately go under. But why is this happening in rugby when the sport has benefited from a flurry of private equity investment which is shaping the future of the oval-balled game? [...]
Decoding football’s transfer market: How can clubs reach objective player valuations? August 23, 2022 As football’s transfer window enters its final few days, one question certain to be at the centre of discussion is: how do you arrive at a fair and accurate valuation for a player? Is Everton’s young attacker Anthony Gordon, for example, worth the £60m that Chelsea are said to be willing to spend on him? [...]
Manchester United fans set to protest against Glazers before Liverpool match August 22, 2022 A Manchester United fans’ group is planning a protest against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, before tonight’s match with Liverpool. The move comes amid heightened speculation that the Glazers could sell some or all of United, which they have held since 2005. Supporters’ group The 1958 called on likeminded fans to join their March [...]
Trevor Steven: Eddie Howe and Newcastle can gatecrash the Premier League’s top six August 22, 2022 Pep Guardiola’s reaction to his Manchester City team dropping points on Sunday spoke volumes about the great strides Newcastle United have made. Far from being upset or concerned by the end of his team’s 100 per cent start to their Premier League title defence, Guardiola instead could only praise the Magpies. The City boss might [...]
Manchester United takeover could cost $8bn (£6.7bn) but minority sale more likely August 18, 2022 Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, are more likely to sanction the sale of a minority stake but such a deal could pave the way for a full buyout costing as much as $8bn (£6.7m). That is the view of sports business experts following a surge in speculation that the Glazers could be persuaded to [...]
Pandemic widened gap between Premier League and European rivals, says Deloitte August 18, 2022 The pandemic saw the Premier League increase its financial advantage over its rivals in European football, according to a report published today by Deloitte. Despite the almost total absence of ticket revenue as supporters remained locked out of stadiums, Premier League clubs grew revenue during the 2020-21 season and, unlike their competitors, reported improved operating [...]
Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Manchester United stake August 17, 2022 Billionaire boss of Ineos Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy a stake in football club Manchester United with a view to holding a controlling stake in the Premier League outfit in the future. A spokesperson for the billionaire told The Times: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.” “If something [...]
Arsenal show what Manchester United are lacking: vision and a whole club’s backing August 14, 2022 Those of a Manchester United persuasion raised on their fierce and at times violent rivalry with Arsenal may not like it, but following their calamitous start to the season it may be worth the former looking at their old adversaries for solutions. Having defined the Premier League around the turn of the millennium, both teams [...]
Players as part owners: Is Cesc Fabregas’ deal with Como the future of football? August 14, 2022 As athletes transition to life after professional sport it is natural for them to consider what comes next, and such considerations were highlighted recently by Cesc Fabregas’ recent signing with FC Como. In addition to his wages, the Italian club has said that Fabregas will also become a co-owner. So could this be a trend [...]
Trevor Steven: Manchester United must use transfer window to fix serious problems August 11, 2022 The Premier League season may have started but the transfer window remains open until the end of the month – and Manchester United have already shown that they have the greatest need of the top teams to make use of the market. Sunday’s home defeat to Brighton in their opening game served up the familiar [...]