Premiership Rugby Side Sale Sharks Make Offer To Buy AJ Bell Stadium

Premiership rugby side Sale Sharks Owner Simon Orange said that the club "made an offer to buy the AJ Bell Stadium" but will build its own ground if it is "unsuccessful," according to the BBC. The club has played at the stadium, which it shares with Super League side Salford Red Devils, since '12. Orange: "We have got to own and control our own destiny. We've made an offer but it's still early stages. I can't go into detail but the offer we've made we think is above what it's worth." The stadium is owned by City of Salford Community Stadium Ltd., and opened thanks to an initial £22M loan from Salford City Council. If the Sharks "succeed in their bid, Orange confirmed that Salford would continue to be tenants." Fans of both clubs "have complained about poor access to the stadium, but a new access road is due to open in October" and the Manchester Metrolink is due to be expanded to the nearby Trafford Centre "within two years" (BBC, 8/24).