Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer died today at the age of 85.
Glazer took over Manchester United in 2005, which was opposed by many Red Devil supporters. Skysports Paul Kelso said that Glazers passing is a “significant moment” for Old Trafford and that he was a “hugely divisive” and “very unpopular” figure in and around Manchester.
Glazer borrowed a large amount of money to buy the club and has been paying off the interest with the club's profits. Prior to his ownership the club had no debt, and now they owe nearly £400 million.
Despite the negative perception of Glazer, Manchester United have won five Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013) since his arrival and a Champions League title in 2008.
His death shouldn’t have an effect on the ownership of United, as the family still owns 90% of the club with the other 10% listed on the New York stock exchange. It was said that Glazer has been in poor health in recent years and his sons Bryan, Joel and Avram will take over.
Manchester United supporters weren’t scared to show their true feelings towards Glazer. A “Love United Hate Glazer” campaign took off among the supporters called the “Red Knights,” where the group plotted a takeover bid of nearly £1 billion. However, the group never could get that amount of money and the Glazers kept ownership.
The campaign used Manchester United’s old colors of green and yellow from the Newton Heath LYR Football Club days to show their distaste for the American owner. Protests were not uncommon at Old Trafford.
Manchester United fana weren't shy of showing their true feelings towards Malcolm Glazer. (Photo: @KhalidMUFC | Twitter)
Glazer bought the club for £800 million, which was $1.5 billion given the exchange rate at the time.
Glazer also bought the Buccaneers in 1995 for a then NFL record of $192 million, and seven years later won the team their first ever Super Bowl Championship.
He is survived by his wife Linda, six children and 14 grandchildren.
