Scottish Championship side Rangers Chair Dave King said that "he intends to meet with Sports Direct in an attempt to negotiate a new retail deal for the club," according to SKY SPORTS. Sports Direct, which is owned by Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley, has a 75% share of the club's retail income "based on contracts signed by those in charge at Ibrox before King and his allies swept to power in March." There "has been a widespread boycott of Rangers merchandise by supporters in protest at these terms but King said the first steps to try and address the issue were taken at a previous meeting with the sports retail group." King revealed that "he is now looking to build on that initial meeting" and take his proposals to Ashley, who holds an 8.92% shareholding in Rangers, in a bid to restructure the existing contracts and to get supporters buying from the club again. He said, "The issue is in looking at the contract, in terms of the way the retail operations have been structured, in terms of the way the retail operations are performing. It is not working for the club and in my view, it certainly can't be working for Sports Direct either." King said that he believes "it does make sense for football clubs to hold deals with strong retail partners, but insists the terms must be right for all stakeholders, including the supporters" (SKY SPORTS, 7/22).
