Report: “Arabs Close In On Manchester United”
February 11th, 2011
BSPN and other outfits today are trumpeting the latest English tabloid chatter that Team Glazer is about to sell its English kickball team to a group of sheikhs from the oil-soaked country of Qatar.
It’s not a new rumor. Joe usually blows off the rumblings, but occasionally shares when they reach a fever pitch.
The Daily Express generated the story, “Arabs Close In On Manchester United,” relying on unnamed, inside sources. At least the story has a name on it, penned by sports editor Bill Bradshaw.
The Daily Express understands that United’s owners, the Glazer family, are “only haggling over details” with a deal to sell the club to Qatar Holdings virtually done at £1.6 billion.
If that deal is sealed, then Malcolm Glazer and his sons will have doubled their money in six years since they paid £790 million for the club in the summer of 2005.
Now Joe knows this English taboid buzz is hardly reliable, but they do break their share of stories, especially in the world of English soccer. The story includes a Manchester United mouthpiece denying there was ever an offer and claims Team Glazer has no interest in selling.
As a Bucs fan, Joe hopes Team Glazer ditches the kickball team. Joe sees no upside for the Bucs in having Team Glazer engaging in high-stakes shenanigans over in England.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Joe- So is this rumor actually possibly legit this time? Because last time you quickly posted an update basically saying it was just tabloid lies. Are you saying this is one of those tabloid stories that could possibly be based in truth? I don’t know because I, personally, don’t know anything about how reliable british tabloids are. If they are anything like american tabloids and their awesome stories on things like bat-boy then I cant believe you are actually writing an article about this.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Joe here,
Last time around Joe added that tidbit about English tabloids for those who might not be sure of their credibility issues. They are much different than the supermarket rags you’ll find around here.
That said, everything you need to know to form your own opinion is in the post above.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
gitarlvr:
This is one of the rare issues that splits the headquarters of JoeBucsFan.com. One Joe, who is very much a soccer fan, has this issue on his front burner at all times.
The other Joe who has as much interest in soccer as he does hopscotch finds this a boring if not trivial subject. Look, do Rams fans shake themselves to sleep at night sweating over what Wal-Mart charges for HDTVs? Do Redskins fans freak out about a roller coaster ride at Six Flags? Do Dixie Chicks fans wing empty beer glasses across the room over the cost of a wrench at Home Depot? Do Seahawks fans gripe about the dreaded blue screen on a Windows laptop?
This Joe just doesn’t get the obsession over Team Glazer’s English kickball team. It’s not like other owners don’t have major investments in other places, including English kickball teams (Kroenke/Rams/Arsenal).
February 11th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
If they did sell the team it could only be good for the Bucs. Not saying they don’t have the money now, but if they did make a huge profit like that it might make them FEEL more inclined to spend a lot of payroll on the Bucs.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I hope they do sell the Manchester United team, and make a profit. Then they can focus on the Bucs, that might not be a good thing though. They have so far been basically the outside voice of those that sign the paychecks around here types. Not the I am the owner you do it my way types. We might not be as happy as we think we would be when they are the everyday voice of the team.
I doubt they will change to be that type of owner. Time and a sale will only tell. If they sell the team.
Thanks Joe,
It is GREAT to see the Iron Sheik again, Met him and a few other Wrestlers at the Clock restaurant in St. Pete after watching them wrestle in the St. Pete Convention center by Al Lang field. ( re either of those things even in downtown St. Pete anymore?) This Photo looks like the Iron Sheik and Rowdy Roddy Pipper in a tag team match going at it in the Convention center.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Well to the Joe that doesn’t like soccer- I think the obsession stems from the perception(whether right or wrong) that the Bucs financial situation and ability to sign high priced free agents etc. hinges on whats going on with Man U. Not saying thats the other Joe’s reason for obsession but certainly the reason many fans care. I mean if the Glazers really did sell Man U. and DOUBLE their investment in doing so then at least we could put to bed the whole “the glazers are broke” thing.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
I hope the deal goes through to these fine gentleman.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
That should give the Glazers enough to move the Bucs to L.A. and buy the Dodgers.
They recently gave the seat deposits back to the season ticket holders. Now, it makes sense…
February 11th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Right now, who cares if it’s a rumor. It’s just good to hear.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Joe still doesn’t get it.
Understand where you are coming from, but the Rams are/were in the same boat as the Bucs. To date, Joe has never read/heard/been tipped off that Wal-Mart or Arsenal or the Avalanche (all owned by Rams owner Stan Kroenke) is the reason the Rams are putrid.
Yet Bucs fans go into an absolute tizzy over the Glazers’ outside business interests. A business mind you that Team Glazer rakes in cash from. This obsession is totally lost on Joe.
It’s as if Bucs fans are in perpetual searches for ghosts.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
The obession is based upon trying to ascertain why the bucs are at the bottom of the league in payroll, and have been for years.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Joe- Well I agree with you. Its not my obsession. But there are plenty of fans who think the Glazers are broke and can’t afford to sign free agents. As far as Im aware the Glazers are filthy rich billionaires any debt from purchasing Man. U. aside. I think it should be apparent to most by now that the reluctance to sign high priced free agents is simply a fundamental football philosophy change by the Glazers and has nothing to do with the state of their finances, but some insist on believing the Glazers got in over their heads with Man U. and are never going to be able to spend a penny to raise the Bucs payroll as long as they own the team(Man. U.)
February 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Joe, fantastic story! And i hope it pans out.
First and foremost, this is a got damn blog. Joe can write about what ever he pleases. It just so happens that an experienced reporter happens to run this blogsite very effectively, but he is not fully obligated to post under some mega media unwritten rule book, or even have to sniff the guidelines.
This is a blog. BFD if Joe writes an article about a rumor. It’s about the Bucs owners. It was published by another outfit. In fact, Joe re-hashes news from all over regularly, EVEN the Tampa Tribune. LOL.
Get your head out of your arse gitalvatr. Big deal he pulled it from a tabloid. I enjoyed reading it. Take it with a grain of salt like every other man on here. Stop complaining.
This story is right on the money, it’s about the Bucs future. Good one Joe!
February 11th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Wow the Iron Sheik Might buy Man U? That will be interesting. I hope the Galzers sell & focus on the Bucs.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Didn’t read the article, haven’t read a post. Don’t need to, don’t care about ManU.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
A kindred spirit of (this) Joe!
February 11th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Guest#27- Always nice to see another idiot poster with zero reading comprehension skills. I wasn’t complaining at all. Simply inquiring to Joe as to what he thought the level of credibility of this rumor is. Go take a remedial reading class buddy.
February 11th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
If true, this could only be a bad thing if the Glazers were setting up a play for LA. I think that is unlikely based on the LA stadium problem and the contract that the Glazers have with TSA locking them up for a while.
It doesn’t mean however that the Glazers kids will begin to pay for players again but it makes it more of a possibility.
Joe: Stan Kroenke has been owner of the Rams for, what? about 7 months? He has yet to establish a pattern of spending or not. Bad comparison. The Glazers were top spenders until, coincidentally or not,, MANU! So it is fair to suspect a connection. Also didnt Kroenke sell the nuggets (NBA) to buy the team?
February 11th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Also, I think Kroenke is the 3rd wealthiest NFL owner at more than 3 billion net worth. I think the Glazers are way down the list at around 400 million (certainly not chump change) but a far cry from 3 billion.
Kroenke is on another financial planet.
February 11th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Ah here we are with Thomas being Thomas. Where did you get that number from? Your rectum? As per Forbes magazine, Malcolm Glazer and families net worth as of Sept. 2010 was at 2.6 Billion and climbing. Stan Kroenke is listed as worth 2.7 billion.
February 12th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
A Joe divided against itself cannot stand!
February 12th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Guest:
Joe missed your comment.
First, thank you. And yes, you are correct, Joe is not shackled to the confines of AP style or other suffocating guidelines. Joe can write what he wants, for how long as he wants.
Joe appreciates the compliments. Thank you.
February 12th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
…. and into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred.
February 12th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
At this point pretty much every English tabloid has floated this story at one time or another. There’s no particular reason to believe that the Express has any more information than any of the others. As far as the Bucs are concerned, I don’t see how it would make any difference – the Glazers seem to effectively ‘silo’ their businesses – each stands on its own feet. Man U has generated a significant excess cash flow over the last few years, but it seems to have been retained in the business in expectation of having to replace players reaching the ends of their careers. The Bucs strategy appears to have been combination of being prepared for whatever the CBA situation might bring plus the recognition that, as you rebuild, you are going have to sign your successful draft picks to long term contracts. The finances of the two teams/franchises don’t appear to be linked in any way.