‘ British Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe Purchases 25% Stake in Manchester United for $1.3 Billion\n\nAfter months of speculation, Manchester United has finally sold a 25% stake in the club to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a whopping $1.3 billion. The deal, which values the English Premier League club at $6.3 billion, including debt, showcases the ongoing interest and investment in sports assets.\n\nThe agreement was reached after a last-minute board meeting before Christmas, ending weeks of delays in what has been one of the most high-profile transactions in football. Ratcliffe, the founder and chairman of British chemicals company INEOS, will also take over the management of the club’s soccer operations.\n\nIn a statement, Ratcliffe expressed his excitement for the deal, stating, “As a local boy and lifelong supporter of the club, I am thrilled that we have been able to reach an agreement with the Manchester United Board that entrusts us with the responsibility of managing the football operations of the club.”\n\nThe 71-year-old billionaire has also committed to investing $300 million into the club, with $200 million to be paid upon closing of the deal and an additional $100 million by the end of 2024. This investment, combined with the expertise and resources of INEOS Sport, is expected to drive further improvement at the club and unlock its full potential.\n\nThe Glazer family, who currently holds the majority stake in Manchester United, has faced criticism from fans for the club’s decline in performance since the retirement of former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013. They remain optimistic about the future of the club under Ratcliffe’s leadership.\n\n”Sir Jim and INEOS bring a wealth of commercial experience, as well as significant financial commitment, to the club,” said United’s executive chairs Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer. “Through INEOS Sport, Manchester United will have access to seasoned high-performance professionals, experienced in creating and leading elite teams from both inside and outside the game.”\n\nThis deal marks another major investment in the sports industry for INEOS, which also owns French Ligue 1 club Nice, Swiss Super League side FC Lausanne-Sport, and works with Racing Club Abidjan of Ivory Coast Ligue One. It is also behind the Grenadiers, one of the world’s most successful cycling teams.\n\n’