Highlight Reel: Man United put up for sale ⚽️🏷
This week's top stories feature Netflix, Apple, Manchester United, David Beckham, the Danish FA, FIFA, Sri Lanka and Pakistan Cricket, Hertha Berlin, and 777 Partners.
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Happy Friday!
It’s not long now until England take on the USA at the FIFA World Cup. Reply to this with a 🏴 or a 🇺🇸 to let me know you’ll be supporting. Or, if that’s not your thing, let me know which of these stories you found most interesting instead… 😀👇
Manchester United put up for sale by Glazers.
Netflix considering investment in sports leagues
Danish FA clarify reports that they could leave FIFA
Sri Lanka has asked ICC to probe match fixing allegations
Hertha Berlin agree to sell 64.7% controlling stake to 777 Partners
Manchester United put up for sale by Glazers 🏷
Manchester United's owners have followed the lead of Fenway Sports Group in putting a huge global football club up for sale. On Tuesday night they announced they were "exploring strategic opportunities" for the club, which could include selling it.
Speculation around potential buyers has been wild. From Apple, Jim Ratcliffe, David Beckham, and Saudi Arabia’s sports minister has stated that they would ‘definitely support’ a private sector Saudi bid.
P.S. As per Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams, there’s some pretty big assets on the market…
Netflix considering investment in sports leagues 🍿
It has been reported that Netflix is considering investing in securing live sports rights for its streaming platform as it looks to find more ways to boost revenues and subscribers.
With discussion of Apple interested in buying Man United, it’s worth reminding ourselves of this report from the Wall Street Journal. The streaming platform recently bid for the rights to the ATP Tour in several European markets, before eventually dropping out of the race. It is also reportedly contemplating bidding for the WTA Tour in the UK and some cycling competitions.
Danish FA clarify reports that they could leave FIFA 🇩🇰
On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that Denmark ready to discuss possible withdrawal from FIFA after Denmark and six other European teams were threatened with sporting sanctions if they wore the armband.
However, Danish FA (DBU) chairman Jesper Moller's comments have now been clarified, with the DBU denying that they're actually going to leave world governing body.
"That was not said at the press conference. We're critical and not satisfied and we'll not vote for the present FIFA president [Gianni Infantino],” head of communications, Jakob Hoejer told Reuters. "We will discuss further actions with our Nordic and European colleagues."
Sri Lanka has invited ICC to probe match fixing allegations 🏏
On Wednesday, Sri Lanka Cricket said it had invited the International Cricket Council (ICC) to probe match-fixing allegations concerning the home Test series against Pakistan held in July.
According to a report in AFP, the Sri Lanka Cricket executive committee has asked the cricket's world governing body's anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall to investigate the accusation, which has caused "immense reputational damage".
Hertha Berlin agree to sell 64.7% controlling stake to 777 Partners ⚽️
The 777 Partners private equity firm has agreed to acquire a 64.7 per cent controlling stake in Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin, a deal which could potentially be largest investment from a foreign company in a German soccer club.
Crucially, Premier League & Bundesliga reporter, Chris Williams, has highlighted that the 64.7 per cent ownership still only gives 777 Partners 49% voting rights in club operations due to the 50+1 construct of Bundesliga clubs.
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