F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone said that he “would like to float the billion-dollar motor sport on the Singapore stock exchange to capitalise on rising interest in the series in Asia.” In London, Sylt & Reid noted F1 is majority-owned by private equity firm CVC, which “bought it in a leveraged buyout” for $1.7B in ‘06. Ecclestone: “If I wanted to dispose of the company today I would float it in Singapore or Hong Kong.” He added that it “has been suggested to him that if CVC wants to exit F1 ‘it would be better to float the company in Singapore than sell it’" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/20).
TAKING THE HEAT: The AP noted FIFA President Sepp Blatter “expects at least one member of FIFA’s executive committee to leave his post because of the ISL kickbacks case.” Blatter on Sunday said, “It does look like some people won’t be able to stay on the executive committee.” Blatter’s comment “could refer to Ricardo Teixeira, who heads the Brazilian 2014 World Cup organizing committee and has been linked to the 10-year-old scandal that has cast a shadow on much of the FIFA president’s reign” (AP, 11/20). Meanwhile, Forbes named Blatter No. 63 on its list of “The 70 Most Powerful People On Earth” (FORBES, 11/21 issue).
CHANGE OF VENUE: ESPN.com’s Leander Schaerlaeckens wrote, "Logistically, it made sense for MLS to stage the final in predetermined venues for as long as it did.” But now that “traveling away fans are supporting their teams on the road in droves, and that the league has built up sufficient attention among media, it can support a final stage at no more than two weeks' notice.” Schaerlaeckens: “Simply put, it will make for a better atmosphere without sacrificing attention” (ESPN.com, 11/20).
