Manchester United Weighing $6 Billion Qatari Sale, per Report
Fresh off a campaign that featured a third-place finish in the Premier League and an appearance in the FA Cup final, Manchester United is reportedly considering a monumental offer for the sale of the club.
Manchester United is weighing granting negotiation exclusivity to a consortium led by Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani for a sale that could eclipse $6 billion, according to Reuters.
Manchester United is one of the world’s most valuable sports franchises. Forbes estimated the club was worth $4.6 billion in its 2022 valuations, making it the world’s third-most valuable soccer franchise, with the highest valuation among Premier League clubs.
The Glazer family, owners of the NFL’s Buccaneers, currently has controlling ownership of the club. Reuters reports that the family views the Qatari offer “more favorably” than a competing bid from British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. An exclusivity window for Jassim is not guaranteed, and it’s unknown how long that window would last if agreed upon.
The Glazer family announced it would explore a possible sale of the club in November after 17 years of stewardship. The move came amid rising frustrations from the fan base regarding the team’s relative struggles in recent years, as it’s been 10 seasons since the team’s most recent Premier League title.