Kroenke linked with Gunners takeover

US businessman Stan Kroenke is reportedly set to launch a takeover bid for English Premier League club Arsenal.

Kroenke, 63, controls NBA franchise the Denver Nuggets, NHL outfit Colorado Avalanche, the NFL’s St Louis Rams, Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids and 29.9 percent of north London club Arsenal.

He is believed to have agreed to purchase the 16.1 percent of shares owned by Danny Fiszman and the 15.9 percent owned by Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith for 11,000 pounds per share – a total of 225 million pounds.

The deal would put Kroenke in control of 62 percent of the club and oblige him to offer a buy-out of all remaining shareholders.

The price of Bracewell-Smith and Fiszman’s shares values the club at 750 million pounds, but debts of 147 million pounds take the proposed deal to a total of 900 million pounds.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov holds the second largest percentage of shares, just over 27 percent.

Arsenal are second on the Premier League table, but have not won a trophy for six years.

Sun 10 April, 2011

Kroenke linked with Gunners takeover

US businessman Stan Kroenke is reportedly set to launch a takeover bid for English Premier League club Arsenal.

Kroenke, 63, controls NBA franchise the Denver Nuggets, NHL outfit Colorado Avalanche, the NFL’s St Louis Rams, Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids and 29.9 percent of north London club Arsenal.

He is believed to have agreed to purchase the 16.1 percent of shares owned by Danny Fiszman and the 15.9 percent owned by Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith for 11,000 pounds per share – a total of 225 million pounds.

The deal would put Kroenke in control of 62 percent of the club and oblige him to offer a buy-out of all remaining shareholders.

The price of Bracewell-Smith and Fiszman’s shares values the club at 750 million pounds, but debts of 147 million pounds take the proposed deal to a total of 900 million pounds.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov holds the second largest percentage of shares, just over 27 percent.

Arsenal are second on the Premier League table, but have not won a trophy for six years.

Sun 10 April, 2011

Roma close to takeover, claim reports

American business Thomas Di Benedetto is believed to be close to securing a takeover deal for Serie A club AS Roma.

Di Benedetto landed in Rome on Monday for exclusive negotiations with Roma’s holding company Italpetroli and stakeholder Unicredit bank.The reported US$108 million bid from Di Benedetto – an investor in Liverpool owners New England Sports Venture – is believed to be favoured over four other offers to purchase the club.”Our aim is to make Roma one of the top clubs in the world,” Di Benedetto told Gazzetta dello Sport.”We want a team that the city will always be proud of, but of course this will take time.”"Rome is a wonderful city and for us to be able to represent it in the world is a great opportunity.”Roma’s widely-reported financial concerns – the club are believed to hold debts of up to US$56 million – are set to worsen if the club misses out on lucrative qualification for the Champions League.Vincenzo Montella’s side are sixth in the table, six points behind Udinese in the last Champions League qualification berth.”We all hope that Roma qualifies for the Champions League,” Di Benedetto said. “Roma have recently recovered after a difficult period. But they still lack continuity.”Di Benedetto is believed to represent several other NESV board members interested in purchasing up to 67 percent of the club.”They’re my friends, they’re all successful businessmen or managers with the necessary economic resources for this deal,” Di Benedetto said.”James Pallotta, one of the owners of the Boston Celtics, will provide his sports knowledge and he has already carefully evaluated the club’s potential.”"Michael Ruane has had a successful career in investments funds and real estate and his involvement will mostly regard the plan for the new stadium.”"Richard D’Amore is an expert in new media and will help us develop in that area.”

Mon 28 March, 2011

Roma close to takeover, claim reports

American business Thomas Di Benedetto is believed to be close to securing a takeover deal for Serie A club AS Roma.

Di Benedetto landed in Rome on Monday for exclusive negotiations with Roma’s holding company Italpetroli and stakeholder Unicredit bank.The reported US$108 million bid from Di Benedetto – an investor in Liverpool owners New England Sports Venture – is believed to be favoured over four other offers to purchase the club.”Our aim is to make Roma one of the top clubs in the world,” Di Benedetto told Gazzetta dello Sport.”We want a team that the city will always be proud of, but of course this will take time.”"Rome is a wonderful city and for us to be able to represent it in the world is a great opportunity.”Roma’s widely-reported financial concerns – the club are believed to hold debts of up to US$56 million – are set to worsen if the club misses out on lucrative qualification for the Champions League.Vincenzo Montella’s side are sixth in the table, six points behind Udinese in the last Champions League qualification berth.”We all hope that Roma qualifies for the Champions League,” Di Benedetto said. “Roma have recently recovered after a difficult period. But they still lack continuity.”Di Benedetto is believed to represent several other NESV board members interested in purchasing up to 67 percent of the club.”They’re my friends, they’re all successful businessmen or managers with the necessary economic resources for this deal,” Di Benedetto said.”James Pallotta, one of the owners of the Boston Celtics, will provide his sports knowledge and he has already carefully evaluated the club’s potential.”"Michael Ruane has had a successful career in investments funds and real estate and his involvement will mostly regard the plan for the new stadium.”"Richard D’Amore is an expert in new media and will help us develop in that area.”

Mon 28 March, 2011

Manchester United Set for £1.5bn Takeover By Qatar Holdings

12 comments by Christian Bailey on December 19th, 2010

Old Trafford outfit finally set to get rid of the Glazers?

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Blackburn Rovers takeover complete by India’s Rao Family

Nov 19, 2010

The Indian Rao Family, owners of poultry company Venky’s ( Venkateshwara Hatcheries) have officially completed the takeover of Blackburn Rovers. The takeover makes Rovers the first Indian owned club in the Premier League.

The Jack Walker Trust has sold its stake in Blackburn to Venky’s London Limited.

In a statement, Venky’s representative Anuradha Desai said that they were “delighted, proud and humbled to be associated with Blackburn Rovers”

How much did Venky’s pay for Blackburn Rovers?

Blackburn was sold to Venky’s for $36.8 million (