Kroenke cranks up Arsenal stake

December 21, 2009

American sports magnate Stan Kroenke has moved to within 17 shares of the threshold requiring him to mount a takeover of Arsenal after upping his stake in the English Premier League club.

The London side said on Monday that Kroenke had acquired 25 more shares last week at a cost of 212,500 pounds (342,099 dollars).

The Denver-based Kroenke increased his stake in Arsenal to 29.9 percent last month.

If he ups his holding to 29.99 percent, Kroenke must, under English company law, make an offer for the remaining shares – in effect, launch a takeover bid.

Kroenke, who has been increasing his holding in Arsenal in recent months, declined an opportunity at the club’s October annual general meeting to clarify his intentions, fuelling speculation a takeover bid could be imminent.

Some of his shares in the club have been purchased from Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

That was seen as an indicator of the Arsenal hierarchy’s preference for Kroenke over Arsenal’s second-biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, whose company Red and White Holdings holds a stake of just under 26 percent.

Arsenal, who beat Hull City 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium here on Saturday, are currently third in the Premier League table – six points behind leaders Chelsea but with a game in hand.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: american sports, annual general meeting, CHELSEA, cranks, emirates, Emirates Stadium, English Premier League, hierarchy, hull city, london, magnate, Peter Hill-, preference, premier league, shareholder, six points, speculation, stake, stan kroenke, takeover bid, threshold, ups, usmanov, Wood

Kroenke on brink of Arsenal takeover bid

November 5, 2009

American sports magnate Stan Kroenke has edged a step closer to a possible bid for full control of Arsenal by increasing his stake in the club’s holding company to 29.9 percent.

That is just short of the 29.99 percent threshold at which British company law requires investors to make an offer to buy out all the other shareholders.

Kroenke declined an opportunity to clarify his intentions at Arsenal’s annual general meeting last month, which fuelled speculation that a bid could be imminent.

The latest increase in Kroenke’s stake followed the acquisition of 200 shares, half of which were sold to him by Peter Hill-Wood, the Arsenal chairman.

That move will be seen as an indicator of the Arsenal hierarchy’s preference for Kroenke over Arsenal’s second-biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, whose company Red and White Holdings holds a stake of just under 26 percent.

Kroenke has also been able to purchase shares from another board member, Danny Fiszman, who has around 16 percent of the holding company.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: acquisition, american sports, annual general meeting, arsenal, board member, danny fiszman, hierarchy, holding company, london, magnate, Peter Hill-, preference, shareholder, shareholders, speculation, stake, stan kroenke, takeover bid, threshold, usmanov, Wood

Arsenal announce record profits

September 28, 2009

Arsenal on Monday announced a record profit after tax of 35.2 million pounds (38.2 million euros) from results for the financial year ending May 31.

The turnover of the Gunners’ parent holding company, which also has substantial property interests at the Highbury Square development of their former stadium, went up to 313.3 million pounds (339 million euros) from 223 million pounds (242 million euros) for the same period last year.

Arsenal’s move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 – funded by a long-term loan at a fixed interest rate – continues to pay dividends, with match-day revenue increased to 100.1 million pounds (108 million euros) from 94.6 million pounds (102 million euros) which was mainly down to progress to the semi-finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup.

Operating profits, before depreciation and player trading, in the football business were up from 59.6 million pounds (64.7 million euros) to 62.7 million pounds (68.1 million euros).

The Highbury Square development, meanwhile, remains robust despite the difficult financial climate and falling house prices, with the completion of 208 private apartments bringing in 88 million pounds (95.6 million euros), while, since the end of the financial year, more units have been sold at the club’s former ground.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood knows all too well the importance of consistency on the pitch, which ultimately drives all other parts of the business.

“The group’s profits have now risen in each of the three years in which Emirates Stadium has been our home. This is excellent news, although I should perhaps stress that making and reporting profits is not in itself the primary objective for the directors,” Hill-Wood said in his report.

“First and foremost we are supporters of this great football club and, as such, our main goal will always be the achievement of success for Arsenal on the field.

“The group’s profitability is important because it is a by-product of running the club as a solvent and successful business, which in turn allows us to maximise the level of investment in the playing staff and in the future development of the club.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: champions league, depreciation, dividends, Emirates Stadium, falling house prices, financial climate, fixed interest, football business, football club, gunners, Highbury Square, holding company, london, main goal, match day, Peter Hill-, private apartments, profitability, property interests, record profit, semi finals, successful business, term loan, Wood

Gunners reveal record profit

September 28, 2009

English football powerhouse Arsenal showed an increase in turnover and a record profit after tax of £35.2million from results for the year ending May 31, which were released on Monday morning.

The turnover of the Gunners’ parent holding company, which also has substantial property interests at the Highbury Square development, went up to £313.3m from £223m for the same period last year.

Arsenal’s move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, funded by a long-term loan at a fixed interest rate, continues to pay dividends, with matchday revenue increased to £100.1m from £94.6m which was mainly down to progress to the semi-finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup.

Operating profits, before depreciation and player trading, in the football business were up from £59.6m to £62.7m.

The Highbury Square development, meanwhile, remains robust despite the difficult financial climate and falling house prices, with the completion of 208 private apartments bringing in £88m, while, since the end of the financial year, more units have been sold at the club’s former ground.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood believes the club are on more than a sound financial footing.

However, the lifelong Gunners fan insisted results on the pitch would also continue to be placed before profit.

“The group’s profits have now risen in each of the three years in which Emirates Stadium has been our home. This is excellent news although I should perhaps stress that making and reporting profits is not in itself the primary objective for the directors,” Hill-Wood said in his report.

“First and foremost we are supporters of this great football club and, as such, our main goal will always be the achievement of success for Arsenal on the field.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis added: “Football is a hugely competitive and fast moving business and we must ensure that Arsenal is not just keeping pace but setting the pace, both on and off the field.

“The club is superbly positioned for the future and I am tremendously excited about the opportunities we have ahead of us.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: depreciation, Emirates Stadium, english football, falling house prices, fixed interest, football club, football powerhouse, future development, gunners, Highbury Square, holding company, Ivan Gazidis, main goal, monday morning, Peter Hill-, private apartments, property interests, record profit, semi finals, sound financial footing, successful business, term loan, Wood

06/08/09: Transfer Rumors

August 6, 2009

‘Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, should sign this Thursday for AC Milan. Milan Official Adriano Galliani said, “It will make the medical use before affixing his signature on the contract that will bind to Milan,”‘ – Sky Sports

‘Spurs’ pursuit of Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar appears to be at an end with the 25-year-old set to sign for AC Milan.’ – The Independent

‘Manchester City finally expect to complete the signing of Everton defender Joleon Lescott on Thursday in a deal worth £22m.’ – The Sun

‘Chelsea have not given hope of signing midfielder Andrea Pirlo, despite AC Milan saying the 30-year-old is not for sale.’ – Daily Star

‘Portsmouth goalkeeper David James could be set for a move to Sunderland with Pompey close to signing Antti Niemi on a free transfer.’ – The Sun

‘Portsmouth striker David Nugent could be set for a move away from the club after a bust-up with team-mate Marc Wilson, with Stoke in discussions over a £4m move.’ – Various

‘Tottenham have had a £12m bid for 19-year-old Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko rejected by the French club who claim he is worth double that amount.’ – Various

‘Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has insisted that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will not be leaving the club after reported interest from AC Milan.’ – Various

‘PSG player Jérôme Rothen could be on Blackburn’s team sheet for next season, with the Premier LEague side interested in signing the midfielder.’ – L’Equipe

‘Lucas Neill, who is available on a free transfer after leaving West Ham, is set to sign for Sunderland on Thursday.’ – Daily Mail

‘Bayern Munich have played down reports linking 32-year-old Italy striker Luca Toni with a move to West Ham.’ – The Independent

‘Nottingham Forest are planning a £2m bid for Bolton defender Danny Shittu, who has been told he can leave the Reebok Stadium.’ – Various

‘Wigan forwardOlivier Kapo could soon be playing for Ligue 1 outit Nice.’ – Le Parisien

‘Hull have given a trial to former Wigan and Stoke striker Henri Camara.’ – Various

‘Sunderland are close to signing 21-year-old Egyptian winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi from ENPPI.’ – The Independent

‘West Brom and Nottingham Forest are battling it out to sign 19-year-old Leicester full-back Joe Mattock for about £2m.’ – Daily Express

‘Ipswich manager Roy Keane is attempting to resurrect a deal to sign Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy for about £2m.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Hamilton are still hoping to sign Inverness’s Dougie Imrie, Motherwell’s Jamie Murphy and Kilmarnock’s Craig Bryson despite having bids rejected for the players.’ – Daily Express

Arsenal are readying themselves for another bid of around €9m, after their initial bid of €7m was rejected by Bordeaux for Marouane Chamakh’ – L’Equipe

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: ac milan, adriano galliani, Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, andrea pirlo, bayern munich, Bordeaux, cesc fabregas, CHELSEA, Craig Bryson, daily mail, danny shittu, David James, david nugent, Dougie Imrie, Hamilton, henri camara, Italy, Jamie Murphy, Joe Mattock, klaas jan huntelaar, l equipe, luca toni, Lucas Neill, manchester city, marc wilson, Nottingham, nottingham forest, old italy, Peter Hill-, Portsmouth, premier league, real madrid, reebok stadium, roy keane, Sky Sports, Sunderland, team mate, Toni, Toulouse, Wood

Kroenke increases Arsenal stake

May 2, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal announced on Friday that American businessman Stan Kroenke had increased his stake in the club from 20 percent to 28.3 percent after purchasing 5,000 shares from director Richard Carr’s family.

A statement on the Premier League side’s official website read: “The shares were acquired at prices of 8,500 pounds per share and 10,500 pounds per share.

“As a result of the acquisition, Stan Kroenke has a beneficial interest in, and controls voting rights over 17,613 ordinary shares in the company, representing 28.3 percent of the company’s issued ordinary shares.”

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “I would like to pay tribute to the long-standing commitment that the Carr family have shown towards Arsenal.

“The club are hugely indebted to them for the role that they have played in the development and success of the club over the years.

“The board particularly wish to thank Richard Carr for his hard work, effort and integrity since joining the board in 1981 and I am pleased to say Richard will continue on as a director of the club.”

The move was welcomed by the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, who said in a statement: “We were the first shareholders at Arsenal to welcome Kroenke’s initial investment. We have since established a good dialogue with him and this will continue.

“Our position is that stability and plurality in ownership is to the benefit of Arsenal.

“New chief executive Ivan Gazidis has made a good impression and says he values our role and the importance of custodianship.

“We hope he will build relationships with all shareholders so that the club has stability off the pitch which is a vital ingredient for success on it.”

Tags: american businessman, arsenal supporters, beneficial interest, carr family, chief executive, director richard, English Premier League, initial investment, ivan, Ivan Gazidis, london, Peter Hill-, pitch, plurality, premier league, Richard, richard carr, stake, stan kroenke, vital ingredient, voting rights, Wood, work effort

Arsenal chairman slams ex-Real Madrid president

January 25, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has branded Florentino Perez as "very rude" after the Real Madrid presidential candidate said he would bring Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to the Bernabeu if elected.

There is a vacancy at the top of the Spanish giants’ administrative set-up following the resignation of Ramon Calderon earlier this month and Perez has promised Real fans he will bring Wenger on board if he wins the election for club president scheduled for the end of the season.

But Hill-Wood, whose family have had a seat on the Arsenal board for decades, said there was no question of Wenger leaving the north London side, where the Frenchman has been the manager since 1996, for the Spanish capital.

"I think it is laughable," Hill-Wood told the Sunday Mirror. "It is disrespectful and very rude.

"I cannot believe that Arsene would go there for all the tea in China. He would be played around like a puppet.

"It cannot be right to talk in such a way about a manager who is under contract at another club."

Wenger still has three years to run on his current deal and Hill-Wood added: "I am very comfortable with the fact that Arsene will be staying with us. He is under contract until 2012 and has never broken a contract in his life."

Hill-Wood also dismissed speculation linking Arsenal captain and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas with a move to Real.

"He is not for sale to Madrid or anybody else. Absolutely not. He is a very sensible young man and he is very happy at Arsenal.

"I would be surprised if he wanted to leave Arsenal and go to Madrid. Very surprised," Hill-Wood said.

Real under Calderon angered another of England’s major teams by their repeated attempts to lure star winger Cristiano Ronaldo away from English, European and world champions Manchester United.

Written by: AFP