The future of Bradford Bulls rugby club "has been secured" after the administrators confirmed the Super League club has been sold to Bradford restaurant Owner Omar Khan's consortium, according to the BBC. The Bulls had been in administration since June and were facing liquidation. However, Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle said in a statement that he had "sold Bradford Bulls Holdings Limited to OK Bulls Limited for an undisclosed sum." Khan's consortium, which included Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, and Bradford Park Avenue "were confirmed as front runners" to buy the Bulls by the Rugby Football League (BBC, 8/31). The PA reported that Khan "still needs the official backing" of the RFL. However, RFL Licensing Dir Blake Solly admitted that completion of the deal "is expected to be a formality." Solly said, "We should be able to sign it off early next week. A few of the third parties we needed to speak to as part of our due diligence have been on leave" (PA, 9/1).
THE WEMBLEY OF THE NORTH: In Bradford, Hannah Postles reported that Khan spoke of his “excitement and exhaustion” after almost two months of negotiations and revealed a plan to build “the Wembley of the North.” Kahn said, “I want to create a sports arena. We have been talking about this for a long time, but nothing has ever been done. This is our chance to achieve this, and I will do this if this is the last thing I do.” He pledged to invest in the future of the Bulls, put it back on a “solid foundation” and urged the Bradford community to support his vision. Kahn said, “I believe we can make the Bulls a truly great club at the heart of our community. I want the fans and community to be at the heart of this club. That’s my vision. I’m very passionate about Bradford” (TELEGRAPH & ARGUS, 9/1).
