attempt a takeover once Fergie has made peace with Coolmore.
Yesterday he increased his stake in the club to 16.31% and
although the broadsheets are divided as to the time scale of
the rumoured takeover (The Guardian thinks it could still be
months away, the Times confidently predicts it will happen
within weeks) all seem to feel that it is on the cards.
The Guardian report that he would want his son, Joel, to take an
active boardroom role (just what this club needs, a spot of
nepotism!) and that should Coolmore decide to sell their
shares to Glazer they would pocket a £50m profit. The
likelihood of this happening depends a lot of the success of
a renewed set of peace talks between Fergie and Magnier’s
lawyers over the stud rights for Rock of Gibraltar’s.
The Guardian also report that the activities of the MEC are causing
problems for Coolmore and make reference to the ‘40 members
of the so called Manchester Education Committee, together
with a pantomime horse, (who) turned up at the city-centre
offices of Kroll, the investigative firm hired by Cubic to
look into business affairs at Old Trafford.’
The Guardian looks at Glazer’s track record and his potential plans
for United if he takes over. They report that analysts
believe that he feels that the club is run well at the
moment and would not want to make any major changes. However
he is thought to want to change the manner in which the club
is marketed abroad, particularly in the US, and he has his
eye on the potential for lucrative television rights deals
should the club be given more control over the rights to the
footage, although the Guardian don’t feel that United, or
any club, will get complete control over the television
rights. Of course, Malcolm wouldn’t want to upset his good
mate Rupert by doing that.
Glazer turned the Tampa Bay ‘Bucs’ from a failing team into
Superbowl champions once he took over. However, he did so by
turning the team into a business – almost immediately season
ticket prices were increased along with merchandise and even
parking at the stadium became more expensive.
Glazer made his money in property. He ran trailer parks (where some
of the poorest in America live) and was unpopular with
tenants for charging an extra $2 per child and $3.50 per
dog.
Sounds like a lovely person. If you don’t fancy paying £50 per
match at Old Trafford next season, join Shareholders United
now.
www.shareholdersunited.org