Man United Fans Fly Banner Against Owners Over Tampa Bay Bucs Game
Manchester United fan groups based in Pittsburgh and Tampa are reportedly the culprits behind a banner that flew over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ stadium targeting the Glazer family.
The Glazers, who own both Manchester United and the Buccaneers, have long drawn the ire of United’s fan base during their stewardship of the club—and it spilled over on their home turf Monday night. Prior to the Bucs’ 25–11 loss to the Eagles, the banner was seen flying over Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and the video eventually went viral.
???? EXCLUSIVE:#MUFC fans from the Pittsburgh & Tampa supporters groups organised a banner to fly above the Raymond James Stadium where the Glazers owned, Tampa Bay Buccaneers played this evening.
— United World (@UnitedWorldFans) September 25, 2023
Thanks to the organisers for sharing this video with us! Great work #GlazersOut ???????? pic.twitter.com/p3qeUBdR87
The Glazer family became majority owners of Manchester United in 2005 with a leveraged buyout of £790 million, which effectively loaded significant debt onto the club’s books. The club has not won a Premier League title since 2013, leading to weekly protests among the fans at Old Trafford against the owners over perceived mismanagement.
In May 2021, the club’s match against Liverpool was postponed after fans broke into Old Trafford before the match and stormed the field in protest against the Glazers’ ownership.
Last November, the family announced it was “exploring strategic alternatives” that including the option to sell the club. The announcement led to widespread interest, including an offer from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani reportedly in the range of £6 billion ($7.3 billion).
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However, the family has yet to accept any offers while multiple reports in England have claimed that the Glazers have taken the Premier League club off the market.
Manchester United is the second-most valuable soccer club in the world at $6 billion, just behind Real Madrid, according to Forbes.