• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Former Man United Director Prepping ‘Hostile’ Offer for Team

  • Former Manchester United director Michael Knighton is preparing a hostile bid for the team.
  • Team shares jumped 12% following his declaration.
Manchester-United
MUFC

Former Manchester United director Michael Knighton is preparing an offer for the Premier League club. 

The bid is considered “hostile” because the team isn’t for sale, but the same term applies to Knighton’s feelings for owners the Glazer family, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“We have an inept and quite frankly useless ownership,” Knighton told Man Utd The Religion. 

  • Knighton said he’s secured commitments from people with “good finance” and is “working on the offer document.”
  • Despite a home loss to Brighton in its season opener, Man United’s stock leapt 12% on Wednesday following the interview. The team now has a market cap of $2 billion.
  • The team is down 11% since hitting the public market in a 2012 IPO.

Knighton joined Man U’s board in 1989 after attempting to buy the team for $24.4 million, stepping down after purchasing Carlisle in 1992. The Glazers bought it in 2005 for $965.4 million.

Team Sharing

In October 2021, brothers Kevin and Edward Glazer put $186 million in shares of the team on the New York Stock Exchange, while their brother Avram sold $97 million in shares the previous March.

The Glazers offered shares with voting rights to fans in June 2021, following uproar over the attempted European Super League.

Knighton called the offer a “sop to fans,” claiming he would offer at least 25.1% shares to fans and ensure that this bloc could derail initiatives such as the Super League or relocation from Old Trafford.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.

Sling TV’s Day Passes Spark Another Sports-Centric Legal Battle

The disruptive programming options generate a second lawsuit in as many weeks.
Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Denver Broncos helmet against the New Orleans Saints during warmups at Caesars Superdome.

Broncos Eye 2031 Opening for New Multibillion-Dollar Stadium

The NFL team plans a new venue and mixed-use development.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.