The family that owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues to face a challenge to its ownership of English soccer powerhouse Manchester United.
According to CNN’s London bureau, the so-called “Red Knights” have hired Japanese investment bank Nomura to assist with an effort to secure control of the club.
The “Red Knights” are a consortium of rich folk who hope to put together enough money to make the Glazers an offer they can’t refuse.
Bucs fans would likely welcome such a development, since in theory it would give the Glazers greater resources to devote to their American football team.
The announcement came on the same day that Manchester United played AC Milan in a match that featured a loud protest to the ongoing ownership of the club by the Glazers. The match featured the return of former Manchester United star David Beckham, who donned the green and gold scarf that has become the symbol of resistance against the team’s American owners.
After the game, Beckham took a more neutral tone. “I’m a Manchester United fan and when I saw the scarf I wanted to put it round my neck,” Beckham said, per the New York Times. “It’s the old colors of United but, to be honest, it’s not my business. I’m a United fan and I support the club. I always will, but it’s got nothing to do with me how it’s run. That’s all to do with other people. I just support the team. I will always support the team.”
Soccer observers in England viewed the gesture much differently, concluding that the gesture gives life and legitimacy to the Red Knights’ efforts to claim control of the club.
