LONDON - Manchester United and Liverpool may have more trophies and a larger fan presence worldwide compared to Tottenham Hotspur, but amid widespread reports last week that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is interested in investing in a major English Premier League club, football finance experts say Spurs could prove a more attractive proposition.
In October 2022, QSI - owners of Paris Saint-Germain - bought a 22 per cent stake in Portuguese Primeira Liga team Braga. Bloomberg revealed that it has since turned its attention to the English game, with United, Liverpool and Tottenham among the teams identified "due to the EPL's continued growth and global profile". The Guardian reported that "Spurs are QSI's first priority".
Both parties were reportedly in discussion - which the club denied - over the sale of a minority stake in Tottenham, who in May 2022 Forbes valued at US$2.35 billion (S$3.1 billion).
Kieran Maguire, football finance guru from the University of Liverpool and author of the book The Price Of Football, told The Straits Times: "Spurs are attractive because they are the most profitable club in the history of the Premier League.
"A lot of those profits were generated prior to the move to the new stadium. So it does show that they've had good cost control. So that's attractive from an investment point of view. The stadium is in London, which tends to be a greater attraction for many overseas investors than the outside cities...
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Second Olympics beckon for Singapore fencer Kiria
As national fencer Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman celebrated her victory over India's Taniksha Khatri at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier on April 28, the 23-yearold knew she had gained more than just an Olympic spot.
GUNNERS SHOW TITLE FORM WITH SPURS WIN
Saka hails calm display in frantic game as lesson learnt from botched attempt in 2023
RECORD INTEREST TO HOST OLYMPICS
Bach reveals double-digit’ candidates for 2036; Summer Games may move to autumn
Six-star England seal Grand Slam hat-trick
England ran in six tries to win a sixth successive Women's Six Nations rugby title with a 42-21 victory over hosts France in their championship decider at the Stade Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux on April 27.
LEBRON KEEPS LAKERS ALIVE
He scores 14 of 30pts in fourth quarter to close out Game 4 against the Nuggets
SCOUT SHOWS THE WAY FOR IN-FORM PACIFIC STABLE
Pacific Scout provides middle pin of treble for all-conquering Malaysian connections
Singapore bankers take home less than HK peers in 2023: Report
Some banking professionals in Republic suffer harshest cuts in the Asia-Pacific
Markets remain nervous as sticky inflation data stands in way of rate cuts
Biggest event of the week will be Fed’s next rate decision, which is due on May
Tesla drops plan for new models of affordable cars
It will now use current product lines as the basis for cheaper electric vehicles
Will collagen in bubble tea really make your skin more supple?
Not enough evidence to show how effective it is to consume such beverages, say experts
