London Irish Owner Mick Crossan Responds To Report Of £3.5M Buyout

Premiership Rugby side London Irish Owner Mick Crossan "responded to claims" that the club accepted a £3.5M ($4.8M) buyout deal, according to the IRISH POST. Crossan, who also serves as club president, "reaffirmed his long-term commitment to the Exiles," but said that the club "had been speaking to a number of investors." The Irishman made the statement after a report appeared in the London Telegraph claiming a consortium of five businessmen -- three of whom are based in Ireland -- made the multi-million pound offer, which had been formally discussed in a solicitor's office in London last week. The £3.5M takeover offer was reportedly "made before Christmas and was awaiting a response from the London Irish board." In its latest statement, London Irish said that it "would only entertain working with investors that offer long-term security." Crossan: "I am aware of the approach discussed in a recent article in The Telegraph and can confirm that we have not accepted any offers of investment to date" (IRISH POST, 1/16).