Promoted Scottish Premiership side Rangers has "begun the process of eradicating" Mike Ashley and his business from Ibrox by "removing Sports Direct branding" from its official website, according to the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Just minutes after the club revealed it was "to rip up contracts held with the merchandise company" it runs with Sports Direct, that company’s logos "had disappeared from their normal position on the site." Currently Ashley’s firm controls 49% of Rangers Retail Ltd. But the deal "is reported to earn the Ibrox men just four pence in every pound and, despite attempts to renegotiate," the current board on Wednesday said it had "served notice on RRL terminating the IP Licence and Rights Agreement" with that company with "immediate effect" (DAILY RECORD, 5/18). The SCOTSMAN reported Rangers Chair Dave King "and the rest of the board are deeply unhappy with the arrangement," originally set up by former CEO Charles Green to "sell items like the club’s kits." King has "tried on several occasions to renegotiate the deal" but has been "rebuffed at every turn" by Ashley, with the pair’s relationship "growing increasingly bitter following a string of courtroom battles." It "is likely the matter will lead to yet another costly face-off in the courts," although it is understood the club is confident it has "grounds to tear up their RRL agreements" (SCOTSMAN, 5/18).
