• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Man United Gets Another Billionaire Investor As Takeover Continues

  • An American hedge fund manager is buying significant shares of Manchester United.
  • The Premier League club is close to selling a 25% stake to British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
A view of Manchester United stadium, Old Trafford
Manchester United

By all indications, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is still set to buy a 25% minority ownership stake in Manchester United for north of $1.5 billion. But as that deal heads toward the finish line, the Premier League giant just got another significant investor.

American hedge fund manager Leon Cooperman has purchased about 1 million shares of the club. 

Manchester United closed at $18.43 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, and has been relatively flat in recent months. Cooperman, 80, has a reported net worth of about $2.6 billion.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that another Manchester United backer — Chicago-based Ariel Investments — reduced its position by 831,000 shares, or 13%, during the third quarter of this year. Ariel now holds nearly 5.7 million shares and is the club’s second-largest institutional shareholder behind British investment management company Lindsell Train.

More Change At The Top

On Wednesday, Manchester United announced that CEO Richard Arnold was stepping down after 16 years with the club. The move had been expected as part of Ratcliffe’s deal. Manchester United executive Patrick Stewart takes over as interim CEO, but the club says it will conduct a search for a permanent replacement.

Ratcliffe has also been reported to be taking over sporting operations for the club as he looks to quell fans’ concerns about the Glazer family retaining majority ownership of the club.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

UFL Kicking Off 2025 Season With Labor Fight Still Simmering

The league’s first game is still on, even without a labor deal in place.

Prime Pay: Colorado Gives Deion Sanders $54 Million Extension

Coach Prime has signed a contract extension through 2029.

Cooper Flagg’s Sweet 16 Performance Fuels NBA Tanking Debate

The Duke star shined as the Blue Devils advanced to the Elite Eight.

Rays Home Opener Clouded by Stadium Drama, Mounting Criticism

Both Major League Baseball and Pinellas County call out the embattled franchise.

Featured Today

Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) reacts against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Intuit Dome.
March 26, 2025

Celtics Sale Has Made Ballmer’s $2B Clippers Stunner a Bargain

The Celtics owners agreed to sell the team for $6.1 billion.
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.
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.
NWSL Ball
March 26, 2025

Boston NWSL Team Tries Second Name: Legacy

Boston Legacy Football Club will replace Bos Nation FC.
March 25, 2025

Diggs to Patriots, Wilson to Giants in Late NFL Free Agency Moves

Russell Wilson and Stefon Diggs agreed to deals Tuesday night.
Anthony Davis
March 24, 2025

Anthony Davis Returns to Mavs in Crisis

The Mavericks beat the Nets 120–101 in Davis’s return.
Feb 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta smiles during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center.
March 24, 2025

How Tilman Fertitta’s Ambassador Stint Will Affect Rockets

President Trump nominated Fertitta as U.S. ambassador to Italy and San Marino.