Manchester United Sale Looking More Likely

The Premier League’s most valuable team could soon hit the market.

There is a growing sense that Manchester United could be sold by the Glazer family, according to the Independent. The team was valued at $4.6 billion by Forbes in May.

The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have faced regular protests from fan groups complaining about a lack of investment in the team and its Old Trafford stadium.

• The family hasn’t publicly committed to a full sale but has recently shown interest in selling a stake.
• The Glazers had been in talks with Apollo Global Management about a minority stake sale, but Bloomberg reported Saturday that Apollo is not currently interested in striking a deal.

The club’s stock rose 10% from Monday to Thursday last week. A full sale could top that of Chelsea, which went to a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, and Sparks co-owner Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for $5.3 billion in a deal that closed in May.

Ratcliffe Leads the Pack

The U.K.’s richest person, billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, is interested in buying Man United and willing to purchase a minority stake as an initial step.

Previous club director Michael Knighton is also preparing a bid. The Ricketts family, owner of the Chicago Cubs, could enter the fray, as well.