Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian Owner Ann Budge believes that "there are twice the ideal number of senior clubs in Scotland," according to Tom English of the BBC. Budge, who recently joined the Scottish Professional Football League's board, said, "I think 42 senior clubs is too many for Scotland. You're looking at about half that number. We're not throwing people to the dogs and saying you don't matter. We should be saying this is what will work better for you, what fits your profile."
The Tynecastle CEO "also revealed she was advised not to join the SPFL board." She said, "A number of people said, 'Ann, you are already working however many hours a week, how on earth are you going to fit this in as well?'" Budge, however, "overcame fears of finding the role frustrating and of being as heavily criticised as previous board members." In three years' time, Budge "will stand down as owner and the Foundation of Hearts will become the majority shareholder of the club." She said, "Fan ownership is fine, fan management is not fine. You can't have fans sacking managers." Budge is overseeing the £12M ($15.6M) redevelopment of Tynecastle, "which she says is on track, with a new stand to replace the historic Archibald Leitch structure the central development" (BBC, 8/7).
