@UsaBias: After weeks of speculation of who will own Chelsea, we now know today that it’s Brentford.
Roman Abramovich plans to sell Chelsea | SOLD for £4.25BN
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
This takeover is seeming to be all Ricketts' way.
Seeing also that they and Ricketts' have set up a company together just makes it more obvious who Raine will be cheering on
Seeing also that they and Ricketts' have set up a company together just makes it more obvious who Raine will be cheering on
Don’t forget Bruce breaking every non partial rule in the book.
An absolute landslide. Why is it so one-sided and why are the fans so down on the Ricketts Group (which would appear to be the frontrunner, judging by the reports above)?
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Islamophobic and racist comments from the father of the family. Also their prior relationship with Buck and the Raine Group rubs people up the wrong way.
Boehly appears to be best to choice, but I'm saying that with the knowledge that I know nothing about any of the bidders intentions for the club outside of what is fed to us via PR campaigns.
Thank you. I wonder how much attention the respective bidders are paying to fan sentiment. As you say, fans only really know what the PR machines are feeding them, but from the perspective of a potential owner, you would surely be remiss to ignore strong opposition to your bid and plough on ahead regardless.
If it does indeed up up being the Ricketts Group, I suppose the fans can at least look forward to a substantial gift of some sort being thrown their way by the new owners, to try and get them on side. Haaland might not cut it. New stadium, perhaps.
What @WeePat said, but also because they've done a terrible job with the Cubs. That they managed to break the 108 year gap in titles yet are still utterly reviled by the fanbase is very telling.
Thanks. Yes, that would concern me if I were a Chelsea fan, just as the reports of Buccs fans' dissatisfaction with the Glazer family were a warning sign about how their ownership of United might pan out.
They're definitely aware of the fan sentiment. I mean the Rickets. They requested a meeting with Canoville who criticised them on twitter, and they've been in London and had meetings with CST and CPO already. They released a statement distancing themselves from the father's statements a few weeks ago.
They've gone on the charm offensive lately, releasing that 8 point promise statement.
I think we'll start to hear more from the other bidders who will apparently be in London to meet with club executives and fan groups this week.
The Ricketts have by far the most financial backing behind them at this point.
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The question is who actually has the money and who wants to load the club up with debt and / or expect to actually get a return on the money in anything but the long or very long term...
We need money for the stadium and we won't stay near the top of the league unless we're continually investing in the squad as Abramovich has done, losing around £100m odd a year in the process! We're not really much of a business, unless you think directly selling streams or whatever will totally change football finances as we currently know them. No football club is these days if they want to win things as well...
Raine group have the answers no doubt, what we as fans want will come distant second to making sure the club is financially secure, will get the stadium and continue to compete I think.
We need money for the stadium and we won't stay near the top of the league unless we're continually investing in the squad as Abramovich has done, losing around £100m odd a year in the process! We're not really much of a business, unless you think directly selling streams or whatever will totally change football finances as we currently know them. No football club is these days if they want to win things as well...
Raine group have the answers no doubt, what we as fans want will come distant second to making sure the club is financially secure, will get the stadium and continue to compete I think.
They can say they will not put debt against the club, but once they own it, what is to stop them? Ricketts say it will be a 100% equity purchase, no loans to buy. There is what they say, and there is what they do.
The Chicago Cubs currently carry $425 million in debt for purposes of the Debt Service Rule.
The Chicago Cubs currently carry $425 million in debt for purposes of the Debt Service Rule.
because of the fathers comments, who is not in the bid.
because of the way the cubs are run, and worry over them not spending; when they arent even going to be majority stakeholders, it'll be griffin and gilbert. So the yes or no men are those 2, the ricketts will have minimal say over big decisions, itll be run as it was with Roman. He calls the shots, Marina and Eugene, Buck do the day to day stuff.
So yeh, IMO, its starting to seem like a whinge about sod all. Only the daughter and one son are involved. Past comments, if apologised for, should not have a bearing on the takeover.
Also, look how many of the "notoricketts" mob on twitter suddenly starting changing their tune when they realised Griffin is planning to spend a lot on the team and club, and a second multi billionaire in Gilbert has also joined up.
Boehly has a firm linked to betting in Russia or similar... where is the uproar? [fwiw im team boehly, but think ricketts have got it in the bag]
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well the ricketts bid is not debt leveraged. At all. And as i posted above for all their past with the cubs, they wont be calling the shots here. Griffin and Gilbert supposedly major stakeholders. They'll essentially be how Roman was, their decision is final, they give the yes or no.
I totally get the fathers comments are awful and their prior history with Raine could look like its set up for them to win [probably is], especially when you consider the report that Abramovich already discussed a sale with Ricketts in the past, but the price was too much.... so he is aware of who they are...... but i cant say ill be too pissed off if they win tbh.... the protest was absolutely laughable too
It's most certainly them or Boehly id say. Broughton looks out as there is nothing coming from his camp, and 2 of the group still havent sold their Palace shares.... Pagliuca will miss out.
They will be like Roman other than the pumping in 1.5 billion of their own money and then writing it off. Whoever wins this process will be wanting to take dividends out and not put money in. Regarding the no debt part, nothing to stop them loading up on debt once the ink is dry, it is how most big clubs operate and to some degree it is expected. I agree the issues people have with Ricketts are a lot of fuss over nothing, whoever ends up owning Chelsea out of the remaining bidders the outcome is likely to be the same and what will really matter is how good the people appointed to run the club can do their jobs as we know to our cost.
agreed. Which is why i pointed out that you cannot use their Cubs' ownership as a yard stick here because they call the shots there, they do as they see fit... that wont be the case here if Griffin/Gilbert are majority holders. In the same way Marina, Buck etc dont/didnt call the shots here, it all was given the "ok" by RA.
I think Griffin has obviously got a good business head on him as has gilbert, so hopefully they can use that with us, and let Ricketts do the day to day admin and what not. I'd hope they keep Marina if they come in, but i suspect she will leave out of loyalty to RA.
The Ricketts stuff yeh... embarrassing some of the stuff on twitter. fecking cringey
Whether it is Boehly or Ricketts the club will still be up the top end and dining with the big boys in the transfer market.... that was all hyperbole being spouted before. Like the talk of us going bust was.... would never have happened
Looking at May now……ugggghhhh
Dodgers principle owner Mark Walter joins bid to buy Chelsea led by Todd Boehly
https://theathletic.com/news/chelsea-dodgers-owner-mark-walter/4XqF1r2bf3um/
https://theathletic.com/news/chelsea-dodgers-owner-mark-walter/4XqF1r2bf3um/
Nick Candy hanging out with a couple of cool guys...
Holly Valance has broken and baffled a few hearts with her appearance there.
yeh id say thats understandable. Deadline Monday 11th for alterations to bids. Few weeks to get license and what not.
I see Griffin and gilbert have promised huge investment into the club and squad aswell as a golden share for fans if successful.
Very close fight between them and boehly's group now id wager.
Have I missed any information coming put from any of these potential bidders, in regards to what their plans are for the women's side at Chelsea??
All the information that I have seen has been about or in regards to the men's side of things....
Yep.
Really hope whoever loses the race doesn’t cry and appeal and long out the process further
Let’s be honest, Holly Valance appearing as a major right wing advocate AND potentially involved in the running of Chelsea would have made a killing if you’d put money on it in January.
If what sense of "Yep" do you mean?
Has there been information put out with regards to what the potential bidders will do with regards to the women's team?
If I have missed such information, could you please be as so kind to inform myself, or put a link up as to where I can see such information??
Many thanks for any help in this regard.
Yep as in you've missed it. Google is your friend if you are interested, not to be rude but I'm not going to search a load for you. Almost all of the bidders have put out various statements and things in the press about their plans, including huge praise for the womens team (they all boil down to virtually meaningless PR at this stage).
Laura Ricketts went to a Chelsea womens game a few days ago and said this...
https://www.goal.com/en/news/laura-...helsea-in-first-statement/bltc433445617b56904
"We have had a memorable few days in London, taking the opportunity to meet as many people as possible from a wide variety of backgrounds," Laura Ricketts, who is the face of the bid alongside her brother Tom, said in her first statement.
"Obviously, I can’t comment on talks we had with Chelsea officials because that has to remain confidential. But I can say we had very informative and enjoyable meetings with some passionate fan groups – in particular with Tracy Brown from Chelsea Pride and Kerrie Evans from Chelsea Women Supporters Group.
"We also met Sanjay Bhandari, the Chair of Kick It Out, and it was wonderful to hear about all the work he’s doing. We admire their approach and would like to introduce them to Major League Baseball.
"I was also thrilled to go to the Chelsea Women’s game at the weekend and I flew in early to make the match. It was a joy to see the incredible athletic talent of the Chelsea Women and to also experience the supporters’ amazing energy at Kingsmeadow.
"Much of my life’s work has been about empowering and supporting women, so to see these young women playing at this level was a real treat for me. It was also so great to see all the families who were at the game.
"Sport has such power to bring communities together and family is at the heart of the community. Some of the girls there reminded me of my 11-year-old daughter. For young girls to see the Chelsea Women on the pitch can be inspiring and empowering to them."
Both the Ricketts and Boehly groups have said complete support for the women’s team. Boehly attempted to buy the Sparks, a professional women’s team. His bid fell short.
I thank you both for these replies, good to see they have been talking about the women's team, as it would a shame if the new owners whoever they turn out to be, don't have the women's team at the very heart of their bid.
Roman Abramovich, the club’s present owner, and the Chelsea board will make the final decision on the preferred bidder, and will take into account recommendations from the Raine Group merchant bank which is handling the sale. It is understood that they will not necessarily choose the highest bid as they will prioritise the future guardianship of the club.
The preferred bid is expected to be confirmed next week and insiders suggest that the winning bid could be as much as £2.75 billion. The government must sign off on the sale so that Abramovich cannot profit from the proceeds.
Bored of reading about this to be honest.
Good to know the leveraged buy is taken completely off the table though. That would have been a disaster. Also good to know each bidder must agree to a £1 billion investment into the various teams (men's, women's and the academy) and the stadium.
Interested to see what the new owners do in the very first transfer window.
Good to know the leveraged buy is taken completely off the table though. That would have been a disaster. Also good to know each bidder must agree to a £1 billion investment into the various teams (men's, women's and the academy) and the stadium.
Interested to see what the new owners do in the very first transfer window.
I find this part curious though. Once the sale is complete how enforceable is any of this going to be? I can promise the world during the bidding process but once I own the club my only obligation is not to break any laws in how I run the business, beyond that it is nothing to do with Roman or anyone else if I choose not to invest or if I decide to take out a huge loan against the clubs assets in order to pay myself and my backers a fat dividend.
We pinky swear not to take out a loan against the asset after we acquire it.
Honest.
I've been traveling since the weekend of the Newcastle game so tried to distance myself but I swear we've had like 20 'deadlines' already
No idea. It was the very first question I asked when this was first mentioned weeks ago as something they would try to get included in the final deal. The words used at the time was 'binding agreement' but like you, I wondered about how exactly this could be enforced. I put it down to my own ignorance of the financing world, and just assumed there could/would be a way to make something like that binding.
I've been traveling since the weekend of the Newcastle game so tried to distance myself but I swear we've had like 20 'deadlines' already
Honestly mate, it just keeps going on and on.
I'm tired Robbie, when is it gonna end.
The Ricketts have apparently withdrawn their bid.
“The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert group has decided, after careful consideration, not to submit a final bid for Chelsea FC,” read a Ricketts-led group statement to @pasport.
“In the process of finalising the proposal, it became increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process. “We have great admiration for #ChelseaFC and its fans and we wish the new owners well.”
Wonder what the bolded part means?
“The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert group has decided, after careful consideration, not to submit a final bid for Chelsea FC,” read a Ricketts-led group statement to @pasport.
“In the process of finalising the proposal, it became increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process. “We have great admiration for #ChelseaFC and its fans and we wish the new owners well.”
Wonder what the bolded part means?
Guess they wanted to do a glazers and saddle the club with the buyout debt and werent allowed to? Just a guess.