12/21/24
September 24, 2004
Liverpool goes Hollywood?: My favorite team gets a third bid, worth GBP100 million, this time from a Hollywood consortium led by two guys from Liverpool: Mike Jefferies (chairman, Milkshake Films, producer of upcoming soccer movie Goal!) and Stuart Ford (Miramax lawyer). The two other bids are for GBP73 mil (from local businessman Steve Morgan) and GBP65 mil (from the Thai PM, it failed, and was revived by a Thai media co.) Why am I still underwhelmed?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 01:16 PM - 11 comments
HollyPool? Liverwood?
posted by StarFucker at 02:26 PM on September 24, 2004
Well, I'm not thrilled with the current executives at LFC, thogh they appear to have gotten something for Owen just in time.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:42 PM on September 24, 2004
BUTT BLOW FOR NEWCASTLE!! Heh heh, i wanted this to be a FPP, but couldn't really think of why...besides it HILARIOUS!!
posted by StarFucker at 02:56 PM on September 24, 2004
SF, that is a great headline!
posted by billsaysthis at 04:11 PM on September 24, 2004
They always have great headlines when it comes to Butt. geddit geddit? But when Man U was selling Butt to Newcastle, they had all sortsa stuff like "Keegan sniffing around Man U for Butt" (ok, I made that up) or "Man U selling Butt" or "Butt for Sale" or "Newcastle grabs Butt" or ... well, you just can't go wrong with Butt. MAybe we should institute Silly Sports Headline Friday.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:17 PM on September 24, 2004
Thats actually what i was thinking for the FPP with that post. But(t) how many funny headlines can there be?
posted by StarFucker at 08:33 PM on September 24, 2004
Try this. ACTUAL HEADLINES FOUND ON GNEWS: Butt kicked for three matches Butt in for England Butt to fill England void Butt off as Newcastle win Souness disappointed with Butt Souness wins, Butt all's not well (ouch) Butt out of Austria game FROM SOCCERNET: (These guys get particular joy and kudos from some sweet headlines) Butt in line for England recall STUFF I MADE UP: Robson moves Butt over to Newcastle Souness kicks Butt out of first team Newcastle face champions without Butt Butt changes Toons Butt I digress ...
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:48 PM on September 24, 2004
waitaminute, Jefferies has now come out and denied charges that this bid is a publicity stunt for his movie. He said, "We travel extensively and it is massively depressing to see kids in Santa Monica or Cape Town wearing Manchester United shirts." Well, I think he's got my attention. At least he's saying the right things. But this may be the kicker: "The duo are said to be keen to buyout the Moores family, who own 51.6% of the club, but they are reported to be keen to retain the involvement of chairman David Moores." This shows some biz smarts, buying out the majority holder with the largest offer yet (by 25%), and retaining him as chairman. This piece (along with their proven marketing contacts) may actually get the deal done. None of the other bidders has shown this combination of finesse, actual interest in the club and marketing expertise. Hmmm.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:05 PM on September 24, 2004
What I want to know is how much of the 100 large will be available for spending on players.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:24 AM on September 25, 2004
Should have read WC's BBC link, my question is answered in the article title. Great.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:08 PM on September 25, 2004
Well, looks like Stuart Ford was in M&A, and now runs Miramax Intl. I can see these guys having the chops to market internationally like Man U and Real Madrid. That's the endgame for all these deals. But, here's a cautionary tale about Real Madrid, a marketing contraption and win-nothing that looks like it's ready to implode.