Manchester United tops world rich list
By David Gold
July 18 – Forbes has named Manchester United as the most valuable sports team in the world, just ahead of American Football giants the Dallas Cowboys and baseball’s New York Yankees.
Premier League
Arsenal replaces Thomson with Thomas Cook as its official travel partner
By Emily Goddard
July 13 – Thomas Cook Sport will return as Arsenal FC’s official travel partner for the 2011/2012 football season, bringing an end to the club’s three-year deal with Thomson after just a season.
Manchester City sign £100 million deal with Etihad Airways
By David Gold
July 8 – Manchester City has announced a 10-year deal with Etihad Airways worth a potential £100 million, which involves renaming their stadium and shirt sponsorship, marking a significant step towards compliance with UEFA’s financial fair play rules, though the nature of the deal could attract attention from Europe’s governing body.
Olympic company launches independent investigation of stadium bidding process
By Andrew Warshaw
July 5 – The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) today launched an independent investigation into its “internal stadium procedures” following the suspension of its director of services, Dionne Knight.
Tottenham apply for public grant to redevelop White Hart Lane
By Andrew Warshaw
July 2 – Tottenham Hotspur, buffeted by continual rejections of attempts to take over the Olympic Stadium, have applied for a public funding grant to help resurrect the alternative plan to redevelop their White Hart Lane home.
Olympic Park Legacy Company official suspended over secret work for West Ham
By Emily Goddard
July 1 – An employee at The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) – the organisation that selected West Ham United over Tottenham Hotspur to take over London’s Olympic Stadium after 2012 – has today been suspended on full pay for undertaking paid consultancy work at the East London club.
Arrest of Birmingham City owner casts doubt on “fit and proper person” test
By Andrew Warshaw
June 30 – Carson Yeung, the Hong Kong-based boss of English Championship club Birmingham City, has appeared in court after being charged with money-laundering, throwing into question the credibility of English football’s so-called “fit and proper person” rules for foreign owners.
Yeung helps police with money laundering probe
By David Gold
June 29 – Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung is “assisting police” with a criminal investigation in his native Hong Kong, the club have confirmed.
Olympic Stadium caught in middle of High Court drama again after Tottenham appeal
By Andrew Warshaw
June 29 – The future of the Olympic stadium after London 2012 remains unresolved after Tottenham Hotspur made one last pitch to take over the venue by announcing they will return to the High Court seeking a judicial review.
Exclusive: New stadium cannot happen without substantial public sector support, claims Tottenham
By Andrew Warshaw in Moscow
June 25 – Tottenham Hotspur have admitted that building a new stadium close to the site of their existing ground cannot be done without greater commitment from the local authority.
Usmanov nears 30 per cent stake in Arsenal required to access club accounts
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By David Gold
June 20 – Alisher Usmanov has increased his shareholding in Arsenal Football Club to over 29 per cent, his company Red & White Holdings has confirmed in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Manchester United owners eye £1.7 billion Hong Kong float
By David Gold
June 15 – Manchester United could be floated on the Hong Kong stock market in a move which has been cautiously welcomed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust.
Birmingham and McLeish enter legal wrangle amid Villa rumours
By David Gold
June 14 – Birmingham City have refused to accept the resignation of manager Alex McLeish, who announced his intention to leave his post at the club on Sunday via e-mail, and are believed to be looking for financial compensation.
Supporters Direct to close within weeks after Premier League cuts its funding
By David Gold
June 12 – Supporters Direct, the group which seeks to encourage fan ownership of sports clubs, could be forced to close down within weeks if the impasse over the organisation’s funding from the Premier League is not resolved.
Deloitte reveal record Premier League revenues but wage costs spiral
By David Gold
June 9 – Premier League revenues increased by £49 million ($80 million) to exceed £2 billion ($3.2 billion) in total during the 2009-10 season but are rising slower than total wage costs, which grew by £64 million ($105 million) to £1.4 billion ($2.3 billion), according to the latest report published by accountants Deloitte.