Hedge funds’ control of Man U draws closer

When Malcolm Glazer bought UK Premiership football club Manchester United in May, alarm bells rang. The £790.3 million ($1.4 billion) deal was partly funded by a high-cost loan of £275 million from three US hedge funds, and subject to strict ebitda targets over the first two years.

Hedge fund
managers
debate a debt
for equity
conversion at Manchester United



For the year to July 2006, the Manchester United Group has to make 85% of £57.1 million, and 85% of £89.1 million the year after, or the hedge funds will have the right to appoint 25% of the board – a move that could involve hedge funds dictating a new manager, or even a sale of the Old Trafford stadium in order to maintain debt repayment schedules.

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