• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Man United Reportedly Offered Saudi Arabia’s PIF A 30% Stake

  • Saudi Arabia’s PIF was offered a 30% stake in a Premier League club before it purchased Newcastle United.
  • The team is believed to be Manchester United.
A view of the inside of Manchester United's Old Trafford.
MUFC

Manchester United could have gone from one controversial owner to another.

Before Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund purchased Newcastle United for $409 million, the owners of another Premier League club reportedly offered the PIF a 30% stake for around £700 million in 2019 — which would currently be worth $787.7 million. 

That team is believed to be Manchester United — the third-highest-valued soccer team in the world at $4.6 billion. Outlets reported in 2019 that PIF chairman Mohammed bin Salman was interested in the club, but the Crown Prince denied any deal had been formed.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of PIF and the Magpies’ chairman, said Newcastle offered the PIF 100% of the club, which Forbes last valued at $381 million — No. 20 on its soccer teams valuation list.

The PIF was also willing to add to its ownership group.

  • Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners took 10% after Staveley and her husband — who gave the PIF the takeover opportunity — wanted to join the group. 
  • The Reuben Brothers’ RB Sports & Media own the remaining 10%.

“When we looked at it, we looked at it from a financial perspective,” Al-Rumayyan said. “By the way, it wasn’t the first offer we got regarding a football team. We looked in Italy, France, and the U.K. as well.”

Money for Manchester

The news comes after The Daily Mail reported in September that despite Manchester United not officially being on the market, the Glazers are looking for roughly $4.3 billion for the team.

The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have faced pressure to sell the team for how they have handled the club and its finances.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 27, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) skates during warm ups before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center at San Jose

Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks Rookies Have Brought Good Vibes to a..

The rookie’s arrival has lifted spirits incongruously high inside the struggling franchise.

Money Talks, Dodgers Win: L.A.’s Historic Start Fuels Payroll Debate

A perfect 7–0 start combines with an unprecedented luxury-tax payroll.

This Year’s Masters Features Smallest LIV Golf Contingent Yet

There are 12 LIV players set to compete in Augusta.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Sacramento A's
April 1, 2025

A’s Sacramento Debut Beset by Logistical Problems

Monday saw broadcast issues, a drone delay, and a tight press setup.
Caledonian Braves
April 1, 2025

The Scottish Soccer Club With 9,000 Owners—Including NBA and NWSL Players

The Braves’ popularity exploded in the last 10 months.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 31, 2025

Jets Offer Most Employees Buyouts

The team offered nearly 70% of its workforce severance packages.
March 31, 2025

NFL’s QB Market Shake-Up Puts Steelers in Unfamiliar Territory

Conversations are continuing with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Mark Cuban watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center.
March 28, 2025

Mark Cuban Says He ‘Fully Expected’ to Run Mavs After Selling Team

Cuban still owns about 27% of the Mavericks.
Adam Silver
March 27, 2025

The $6.1 Billion Celtics Sale Is Not Street-Legal Yet

The complex deal still has some league hoops to jump through.