Manchester United have been owned by the Glazer family since 2005 after Malcolm Glazer’s American dynasty bought out JP McManus. Yet the club could yet be in new hands this year.
But for now, the stewardship at Old Trafford falls on the shoulders of Glazer’s six children to whom he awarded the ownership after his passing in 2014. He was survived by Avram, Joel, Kevin, Bryan, Darcie and Edward with the first two also having the biggest roles at the club.
When did the Glazers become the owners of Manchester United?
The Glazer family first bought shares in Manchester United in March 2003 before steadily increasing their ownership. Per the Metro, the family bought 2.9% control of the Red Devils for £9m before upping their stake to 15% by the end of the year and 30% by October 2004.
May 2005 then saw the Glazers secure full ownership of Manchester United as they bought John Magnier and McManus out. The American family increased their stake to 50% to force a full takeover over the following weeks. It ultimately cost them around £800m to buy the club.
However, it is now estimated that the Glazer’s takeover cost Manchester United more than £1bn in interest and additional fees. The family financed their purchase of the Old Trafford side using loans secured against the club’s assets. It also loaded the club with a lot of debt.
According to Sky News, Manchester United are now around £500m in doubt having been in the black when the Glazer family became the sole owners in 2005. It also adds that Malcolm Glazer never attended Old Trafford after buying the club before his passing at the age of 85.
There has been a constant timeline of protests from Manchester United fans opposed to the Glazer family ownership. Some supporters even got a game against Liverpool postponed in April 2021. Hundreds of fans entered Old Trafford before the behind-closed-doors game.
What have Manchester United won since the Glazers became the club’s owners?
Manchester United had already established themselves as one of England’s most successful teams before the Glazers took full ownership in 2005. The club had won the Premier League title in 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01 and 2002/03.
The Old Trafford side would also go on to win the English top-flight title again in 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11 and 2012/13. But they have since endured a barren run since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as the club’s manager in 2013. He had stood at their helm since 1986.
Manchester United have also won a Champions League title (2007/08), FIFA Club World Cup (2008/09), one Europa League crown (2016/17), an FA Cup title (2015/16) and three English Football League Cup titles (2009/10, 2016/17, 2022/23) since the Glazers gained ownership.
What other sports franchises do the Glazer family own?
Along with Manchester United, the Glazers also own a clutch of other sports franchises. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are their other central interest. Malcolm Glazer bought the National Football League (NFL) team in 1995 and the family still own the Florida-based franchise.
Under the Glazer family, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the franchise’s maiden Super Bowl title in 2002. They also won a second in the 2020 season spearheaded by iconic quarterback Tom Brady. It also saw the Buccs become the first team to play the Super Bowl on home turf.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers state on their official website that owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer oversees day-to-day operations. Bryan Glazer also has a day-to-day operational role.
Avram Glazer, meanwhile, bought a T20 cricket franchise in the United Arab Emirates in late 2021, per Sky Sports. He did so acting as the chairman of private equity firm Lancer Capital.
How much are the Glazers worth?
According to Forbes, the Glazer family held a net worth of almost $6bn (£5bn) as of 2022. By owning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers alongside Manchester United, the family also own one of the most valuable sports empires. It had them as the eighth-most valuable group at the time.
Part of the family’s net worth came from Forbes valuing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at close to $3.5bn (£3bn) in 2022. Yet the Bucs were only the 24th-most valuable NFL team in 2022. It also adds that the Glazers bought the NFL franchise back in 1995 for just $192m (£169m).