Manchester United owners the Glazers are reportedly considering buying a cricket team.
According to The Mail, the Glazers could add a cricket club to the two sports teams they currently own, Manchester United, and NFL team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Glazers have registered an interest
Currently the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket league has eight different teams, each attached to a different city.
The IPL is set to expand from eight to 10 teams, and an auction will be held next week.
The Glazers are one of 18 parties to register an interest in owning one of the expansion teams. It is reported the Glazers spent £10,000 on submitting a tender as one of the interested parties.
How much would it cost?
It is estimated that the winning bidders will pay around £300 million.
LiveMint report the teams are so highly valued because of the broadcasting rights of the IPL, of which the owners would earn a cut. Extra teams means more matches, and more revenue.
A lack of a substantial share in the Premier League’s broadcast revenue was one of the reasons for the pursuit of the European Super League, The Athletic reported.
What does it mean for Manchester United?
The Glazers have a lot on their hands right now. They are supposedly hiring planners to explore a renovation of Old Trafford in addition to Carrington, The Mail report.
This would be in addition to plans for a complex supporter share scheme.
The perception is the NFL will always be their first priority, and United could get squeezed out even further, if the IPL bid is successful.
Can the Glazers afford it?
Whether the Glazers will be successful in their bidding is a dubious matter.
But as with their bid to takeover Manchester United, they found a way.
Recently it was reported by the MEN two members of the Glazer family cashed in by selling £117 million of their Manchester United shares.
It is unclear if this is linked to a possible IPL bid, but it could make some sense, that capital is being freed up.
Could United benefit?
The Mail report that the Glazers owning a IPL team ‘would also undoubtedly boost the Premier League club’s profile in India.’
United already have a strong fanbase in the country and this would tap into it further.
While a team would be named after the city or district the IPL club was assigned to, unofficially they could be dubbed Manchester United IPL.
United planned to tour India in 2020 before Covid struck. The MEN reported United regretfully had to cancel the tour and planned to do so in future years.
When is the auction?
The auction is know as the IPL 2022 Mega Auction and no official date has been set.
SportsKeeda report the auction could take place in December or January.
- Man Utd fans have a lot to say about Sandro Tonali’s first game for Spurs, one thing is clear
- David Beckham sends first message after signing Casemiro for Inter Miami, says what Man Utd will miss
- Man Utd have new investors who could capitalise on future takeover as deal is confirmed
- 10 things I want to see from Man Utd vs Rosenborg: A memo for Michael Carrick
- Manchester United fans give verdict ahead of new away kit debut
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
