On July 4, The New York Times reported that Manchester United’s owner, Avram Glazer, has failed in his attempt to acquire a controlling stake in Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
According to people with knowledge of the matter, Glazer had sought an investment in the club, but due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, those involved declined to comment publicly.
In the past year, Glazer sold a 25% stake in Manchester United to Jim Ratcliffe for £1.25 billion, resulting in substantial profits. It is understood that the Angel City club, valued at around $250 million, was the target of Glazer’s acquisition attempt. Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, and his wife Willow Bay are reportedly set to invest $50 million to acquire shares in the club from its largest shareholder, Alexis Ohanian.
The Glazer family, in addition to their ownership of Manchester United, also holds stakes in the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Desert Vipers (in the UAE’s T20 league).