"The landscape of English football is changing and it could be more seismic than you think. The home of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and even Sheffield United and Millwall has become the location of the most sought-after sporting real estate in the world and American owners are at the forefront of the land grab. When Malcolm Glazer completed a £790 million ($1.06 billion) takeover of Manchester United in May 2005, the New York billionaire became the first American owner in the Premier League."
"Twenty years later, 11 Premier League clubs are majority-owned by American individuals, families, celebrities or private equity groups. Drop down to the EFL Championship, English football's second tier and direct feeder league to the Premier League, and nine clubs are majority-owned by U.S. firms of individuals, including Wrexham. Even Gillingham, top of the table in League Two, are under American ownership."
American ownership has rapidly expanded across English football, with 11 of 20 Premier League clubs majority-owned by U.S. individuals, families, celebrities or private equity. English football’s most valuable clubs and even lower-league teams have become prime targets for American investors, altering the sport’s ownership geography. The trend began with Malcolm Glazer’s £790 million Manchester United takeover in 2005 and has spread through the Championship and League Two. The growing U.S. presence raises questions about possible structural changes, including NBA/NFL-style salary caps, trading models, drafts and more international regular-season fixtures.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]