US tycoon ups Man Utd stake

The BBC ^ | Monday, 20 October, 2003, 12:27 GMT 13:27 UK | anonymous BBC story-monkey

[alnitak]

American sports entrepreneur Malcolm Glazer has increased his shareholding in Manchester United to nearly 10%, the UK Premier League club said.

Mr Glazer owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Florida-based winners of the Super Bowl American football championship.

Man Utd said Mr Glazer has raised his shareholding to 9.66%.

It is the second time in a fortnight Mr Glazer has bought more Man Utd shares - earlier this month he raised his stake from 5.9% to 8.94%.

Takeover talk

Rumours of a takeover have swirled round Man Utd in recent weeks, as several sporting entrepreneurs have increased their shareholdings.

Takeover speculation was sparked by satellite broadcaster BSkyB's decision to offload its 10% stake in the football club.

Irish horse racing tycoons J.P. McManus and John Magnier snapped up BSkyB's stake in early October, taking their joint holding to 23.15%.

That triggered a flurry of speculation that the Irish duo might be preparing a full-blown takeover attempt

Mr Glazer has been named as a possible bidder for Man Utd, as has Dutch TV entrepreneur John de Mol, who took his stake from 3.5% to 4.1% in early October.

Scottish mining entrepreneur Harry Dobson, and Dermot Desmond, the Irish millionaire who owns 21% of Celtic football club, have also been named as possible bidders.

Institutional investors tend to steer clear of football clubs because their financial performance is unpredictable, and most do not make enough money.

But analysts say Man Utd would make an attractive takeover target because, unlike many of its Premiership rivals, the club is free of debt and makes healthy annual profits.

Man Utd's has turned its success on the pitch into a worldwide merchandising operation which generates hefty earnings.

[alnitak]

I hope he has deep pockets. Billionaire status now seems to be the entry level for owning a top flight club. Quite possible he hopes to make a few bucks selling to one of the other bidders.

[Weimdog]

He's not the only American increasing his stake in Man Utd...

American goal-keeper, Tim Howard, has forced Barthez out of the team completely -

"Barthez has fallen behind both Tim Howard and Roy Carroll in the United pecking order and France coach Jacques Santini warned his international place could be under threat."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3205158.stm

[alnitak]

Yep, Howard has done really well. Barthez is off to Marseille, I'm 99% sure.

[Pa' fuera]

if Glazer can get a work permit, that is (/sarcasm)

[Lazamataz]

British people are weird.

Now stay over there on your island or we shall have to revolt a second time.

[Heyworth]

I wonder if this thread will get any of those "soccer is a communist game" people.

[cowtowney]

And in two years or so when Freddie Adu goes pro, they'll probably get another American.

[alnitak]

Careful - or we'll burn down Washington.

[Prodigal Son]

Hmmm. I don't find them weird.

[Lazamataz]

They talk weird. They drive weird. They eat weird. The play weird sports. Their women are weird.

Plus they're right next to France.

[Lazamataz]

Careful - or we'll burn down Washington.

Aw hell. Friggin place has been burned down so often they should just rename it Phoenix.

[Prodigal Son]

I like the way they talk. They drive at least as well as Americans. The food's not bad. Love Rugby, Soccer, Snooker, Cricket. Their women are big breasted.

What's so bad about France? ;-)