Individuals within the Glazer family are considering selling their stake in Manchester United, according to a new report.
US business outlet Bloomberg report that the Glazers are considering the possibility of selling at Manchester United.
They stress that there is no unified decision and the potential sale is being considered by individual family members, at this stage.
“Several stakeholders in the US-based Glazer family have been studying the possibility of divesting part or all of their holdings in the English Premier League football club.”
“The Glazer family as a whole hasn’t made a decision to exit, and different family members are still discussing the best path forward,” the report states.
Bloomberg reports members of the Glazer family are considering selling up: What are your thoughts?
Do you have any faith this could be a full sale, or are we looking at a gradual share sell-off?
Glazer roles and ownership breakdown
- Avram and Joel Glazer are executive co-chairman.
- Kevin Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and Edward Glazer are all directors on the board.
Joel Glazers owns the biggest stake of the family’s Class A shares in Manchester United. Avram Glazer sold £70 million worth of shares in 2021.
Siblings Kevin, Bryan, Darice and Edward own Class B shares, which still carry considerable voting power on the board.
In late 2023, Ineos bought a minority stake in Manchester United which included an agreement to carry out day-to-day football operations, but the Glazers still own higher voting power.
Reaction
Bloomberg add: “Any potential sale could attract interest from suitors including Middle Eastern parties, as well as wealthy individuals in the US. Buyers would likely face a steep price tag for such a high-profile sporting asset at a time when the cost of financing large M&A remains elevated.”
The report also notes the heavy investment required amid Ineos‘ ambitious plans to build Manchester United’s new stadium, currently projected to open in 2035.
There have been no real rumours of a Glazer sell-off since they sold a stake to Ineos in December 2023.
It would be a surprise if they completely ceded control of Manchester United now, but a very welcome one.
Since their leveraged takeover in 2005, the Glazers have been awful custodians of Manchester United, overseeing the club’s fall from dominant superpower into also-rans.
There has been a glimmer of hope under Ineos over the past 12 months, but it is now 13 years since the club won the Premier League title.
We may only be looking at a gradual sell-off of some of the B shares owned by Kevin, Bryan, Darcie or Edward, but every little helps.
Manchester United fans are in this for the long haul, and one day we dream of a Glazer-free club.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
