EPL Franchise Notes: Tottenham Owners Look To Take Club Private

Tottenham Hotspur owners today said that they will "take the club off the stock-market to help their prospects of borrowing money for the proposed new stadium development." In London, Paul Kelso notes the "announcement of plans to 'de-list' the club from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) came as Spurs revealed record revenues for the 2010-2011 season." Thanks to UEFA Champions League play, revenue rose almost $69.5M (all figures U.S.) to $258.3M, with operating profits up 42% to $51M. However, Tottenham's costs "rose sharply too," up 35% $207.2M. The club "recorded a pre-tax profit" of $631,800. The intention to take the club private is the "clearest indication yet that Spurs are pressing ahead with the Northumberland Park development next to White Hart Lane following their defeat in the Olympic Stadium bid." Naming rights, "possibly worth [$236.9M], will be a crucial part of the funding package" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/16).

GROWING ITS MONEY: Manchester United "announced a 16.5 per cent increase in first-quarter turnover" to $116.5M. In London, Ed Hawkins notes ManU has "reported growth in all areas with the commercial side benefiting from" a $63.1M deal with DHL to sponsor their training kit, helping those revenues to rise 22.3% to $46.7M. The financial "boost will go some way to helping to service a gross debt" of $683.9M. This is in contrast to Manchester City, who despite leading the EPL is "set to post the worst losses in English football history in excess" of $236.8M. Media revenues were up from $30.6M to $35.7M and were "largely inspired by United’s status as league champions, ensuring they get a larger share of the Champions League pot, and a lucrative five-match tour" of the U.S. Matchday income has also grown 9.6% to $34.1M, "thanks to the first complete sell-out of seasonal hospitality boxes since the plush Old Trafford quadrants were completed in 2006" (LONDON TIMES, 11/16).

NOT FOR SALE: Blackburn co-Owner Venkatesh Rao insists the team's owners "are not 'fooling around' with the club and have no interest in being bought out just a year into their reign." Middle East oil company Qatar Petroleum has been "linked with a potential takeover bid." Rao said, "Money is not everything to us. The passion is there and we don't want to let the fans down" (PA, 11/15). The LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH's Andy Cryer had reported Qatar Petroleum was "preparing to offer" $39.5M for the club. Cryer also reported the company was looking at other EPL clubs, including Everton, which it decided not to attempt to purchase "due to the cost involved in building a new stadium" (LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH, 11/13).