Kieran Maguire makes ‘incredible’ claim as Man United chiefs plot £190m+ purchase
The Glazers know the multi-sport model is “ridiculously lucrative” – that is why they are keen to expand their portfolio beyond Man United.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the United owners’ latest investment plans.
According to the Times of India on 21 October, the US-based family are interested in purchasing an Indian Premier League franchise.
The minimum buy-in to purchase a team in the world’s most popular T20 cricket league stands at £190million.
Malcolm Glazer has owned NFL side the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1995, eight years before the family began its leveraged buyout of United.
And Maguire claims it is no surprise to see the Glazers now looking to conquer the cricket frontier.
“The Glazers see the financial benefits of the multi-sport model,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.
“The media has generally moved away from live broadcasts and towards streaming in recent years.
“But the one thing that is unique about sport is that you either watch it when it takes place or not at all.
“That is incredible to advertisers, marketers, financers. You can’t fast-forward through the adverts when you’re watching live sport.
“That is why it continues to deliver. The new NFL deal, for example, is ridiculously lucrative because it’s a communal event and everyone tunes in.
“The Glazers have seen the benefit of that in the US and their acquisition of Man United. They have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well, remember.
“Cricket is the world’s second-most popular sport because of the impact it has in India. The Glazers want to expand the financial benefits that it brings.“
In other news, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rahsford will be fuming with Man United teammates after what pundit has just seen.