Manchester United FC: Jim Ratcliffe (INEOS) agrees to acquire a 25% stake for $1.3bn

British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe (INEOS) has reached an agreement with Manchester United FC (Premier League) to acquire a 25% stake in the club, announced the latter on 24/12/2023. The deal is valued at an estimated $1.3bn (€1.18bn) according to British media.

The agreement, which is subject to approval by the Premier League, includes the acquisition of 25% of the club's Class B shares (which contain almost all the voting rights, 100% owned by the Glazer family prior to the deal), as well as the acquisition of up to 25% of the club's Class A shares (which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange). The unit purchase price for each share is $33 (€30).

As part of the deal, Jim Ratcliffe will also "provide a $300m fund intended to enable future investment into the club’s infrastructure at Old Trafford, comprising $200m paid upon the closing of the transaction and a further $100m by the end of 2024. Trawlers Limited (Isle of Man, a company wholly owned by Jim Ratcliffe) will be issued additional Class A and Class B shares at $33.00 in respect of such investment."

At the request of…