Billionaires & moguls lining out for clubs

IT’S hard not to look at a Turkish media mogul taking control of a League of Ireland football club and think, “well that’s a little mad”.

- JOE O'SHEA

Surely Acun Illicali hasn’t taken control of Shelbourne FC for the glamour or the riches that come with the best little league in the world?

Yes, the man has a personal wealth of €100million so he can afford to pick up the odd football club here and there – Acun already owns Hull FC and his business is mainly in sports media. But why would be have such a strong interest in the League of Ireland?

Of course, it makes sense if you look at the long game – and how football is going.

The joke used to be “How do you make a small fortune out of football? Start with a big one!”