The English Premier League is known to be one of the most competitive and popular football leagues in the world. With a rich history and passionate fan base, it is no surprise that the league is also a hotspot for wealthy individuals to invest in. In recent years, there has been a trend of rich men buying football clubs in the UK, with the price tag reaching a staggering fifty million pounds or more. Let us take a look at twenty clubs in the UK that have been bought by these affluent individuals.
1. Manchester United: In 2005, American businessman Malcolm Glazer bought Manchester United for a whopping £790 million, making it the most expensive takeover in British football history.
2. Manchester City: The Abu Dhabi United Group, led by Sheikh Mansour, bought Manchester City for £210 million in 2008, paving the way for the club's success in the Premier League.
3. Chelsea: Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for £140 million, transforming the club into a major contender in the Premier League.
4. Liverpool: American businessman John W. Henry bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million, leading the club to their first Premier League title in 30 years.
5. Arsenal: In 2018, American billionaire Stan Kroenke bought the remaining shares of Arsenal for £550 million, becoming the sole owner of the club.
6. Tottenham Hotspur: In 2001, businessman Joe Lewis bought a controlling stake in Tottenham Hotspur for £22 million, making him the majority shareholder of the club.
7. West Ham United: In 2010, Icelandic businessman Björgólfur Guðmundsson sold West Ham United to David Sullivan and David Gold for £85 million.
8. Newcastle United: In 2007, retail entrepreneur Mike Ashley bought Newcastle United for £134 million, but the club has since been put up for sale.
9. Aston Villa: In 2016, Chinese businessman Dr. Tony Xia bought Aston Villa for £76 million, but the club was sold to Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris and American billionaire Wes Edens in 2018.
10. Sunderland: In 2006, Irish-American businessman Ellis Short bought Sunderland for £30 million, but the club has since been sold to a group led by Stewart Donald.
11. Leeds United: In 2017, Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani bought Leeds United for £45 million, leading the club back to the Premier League after 16 years.
12. Rangers: In 2015, Scottish businessman Dave King bought a controlling stake in Rangers for £5.5 million, leading the club back to the Scottish Premiership after financial troubles.
13. Celtic: Irish businessman Dermot Desmond owns a majority stake in Celtic, which he bought for £32 million in 1994.
14. Birmingham City: In 2009, Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung bought Birmingham City for £81.5 million, but the club has since been sold to a Chinese consortium.
15. Middlesbrough: In 2016, American businessman Steve Gibson bought Middlesbrough for £5 million, but the club has since been relegated from the Premier League.
16. Blackburn Rovers: In 2010, Indian businessman Venkateshwara Rao and Balaji Rao bought Blackburn Rovers for £23 million, but the club has since been relegated to League One.
17. Fulham: In 2013, Pakistani-American businessman Shahid Khan bought Fulham for £150 million, but the club has since been relegated from the Premier League.
18. Southampton: In 2017, Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng bought Southampton for £210 million, but the club has since been sold to a group of investors led by Jisheng.
19. Crystal Palace: In 2010, American businessman Josh Harris and David Blitzer bought a controlling stake in Crystal Palace for £50 million, leading the club to the Premier League in 2013.
20. Leicester City: Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha bought Leicester City for £39 million in 2010, leading the club to an improbable Premier League title in 2016.
These twenty clubs in the UK have all been bought by wealthy individuals, showcasing the growing trend of investment in football clubs. While some of these takeovers have led to success and glory for the clubs, there have also been cases of financial mismanagement and relegation. Nevertheless, it is clear that owning a football club in the UK is not only a matter of passion but also a significant investment for the rich and affluent.
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