Who is the modern sports team investor?

Today, the UK football scene is one in which clubs are frequently changing hands, making it difficult for the club, players, and fans, to find any sort of stability. Why is foreign investment so popular? Many Premier League clubs are listed on the stock exchange, and so have come to be seen as far less hostile acquisitions than the clubs that exist in investors’ own back yards. With 11 of the Premier League’s top 20 clubs owned by foreign investors, it isn’t hard to see why many critics, and fans, are accusing foreign owners of taking over the English Premier League; but is it really as bad as they make out?

While not all foreign investment can be seen as a bad thing, there are those who query whether football club owners are given a little too much power these days, and whether many businessmen are taking on a little too much, influencing decisions with which they have little actual interest. Roman Abramovich, for example, has been blamed for several high profile mistakes made in Chelsea FC’s recent history. There are those who question whether foreign investors can really understand the heart of UK football, and their involvement is seen as far removed from football’s community roots. On the other hand, there are those who laud the role of foreign investment in modern football; after all, the money currently pouring in from the Middle East, Asia, and America is helping to fund technological advancements in the game, better equipment, footballing innovations, and even changes to kit. When does foreign “interference” become seen as inspiration?

 It’s time to talk investors

Global organisations such as M1 Group, which is one of the Middle East’s biggest investment firms, are often in a far superior position to spend money on UK football than home-grown companies and can, without a doubt, vastly improve the quality of facilities, resources, kit, and the game itself. Having traded across the globe in a number of industries, M1 Group is well versed in affairs of every nature, and can bring knowledge, experience and a world trade background to UK football, as well as revenue to improve the team, venue and players. Chaired by the original founder’s nephew, Azmi Mikati, M1 Group has, to date, made investments in commercial air travel, telecommunications, fashion and retail, and real estate, and their prowess for all things finance-related should be noted; companies such as M1 Group spend a great deal of time and money on getting things right, and UK football shouldn’t be an exception.

The issue of foreign investment and its role in British football is one that is unlikely to calm down any time soon; passionate fans will argue that the involvement of foreign owners and money is taking football away from its very roots in the community, while others will argue that such investments bring opportunities and far greater resources to the sport. One thing is for sure; it’s essential for new owners to listen to the manager, coach, players, and fans, and to be mindful of their club’s identity in an attempt to draw everybody’s experiences together. With a little determination and communication, there is no reason why foreign investment shouldn’t work to improve the UK’s most beloved game.