Monday 15 August 2011

Tony Fernandes Linked To Premier League

According to the Financial Times Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes is set to purchase the majority of Bernie Ecclestone's shares in Queens Park Rangers football club.

Ecclestone bought his shares in 2007 along with (at the time) Renault boss, Flavio Briatore, who has since surrendered most of his stake in the team to Ecclestone.

Fernandes is expected to purchase 51% of the team, with a further 11% being sold to Steel billionaire Lakshmi Vittal, who already owns 33%.

QPR were promoted to the Premier League for the 2011-2012 campaign, after winning the Championship the previous season. However, their first match saw them lose 0-4 at home to Bolton Wanderers.

For more on this story, visit www.en.espnf1.com


So, should Tony Fernandes purchase a stake in Queens Park Rangers?

Pros:
> Fernandes is a big fan of football, and follows the Premier League closely.
> Purchasing shares from Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone (who apparently is keen to sell his stake in the club quickly) would be a good way to get in the F1 supremo's good books.

Cons:
> Fernandes is a West Ham United fan, and is not shy to admit it. Although not being direct rivals (it's not like he's looking to purchase Millwall), they are still both London clubs.
> A cynical observer might suggest that if there was much more money to be obtained from the club, Ecclestone would probably stay involved.
> After a poor start to the season (albeit only after one game) QPR sit joint bottom. If they can't find their feet in the league quickly, they may find themselves heading back to the Championship - a league notoriously difficult to get out of!

Alternatives 1
> Tony Fernandes could look to invest in his favourite club, West Ham. Admittedly the Hammers already have a pair of millionaire owners, but after getting relegated to the Championship last season, they may be looking for an easy way out.

Alternative 2
> Fernandes runs the green and yellow Team Lotus Formula 1 team from their base on the outskirts of Norwich, Norfolk, UK. If only there was a green and yellow football team in the region, he could keep all of his sporting enterprises in one location.
Oh well, never mind eh?

1 comment:

  1. The subtle suggestion that Mr Fernandes should look at Norwich City FC as a possible Premier League investment opportunity looks a little more unlikely now, as the Canaries agreed a five year partnership deal with Group Lotus (effectively the black & gold 'Renault' Formula 1 team).

    The agreement between NCFC and Fernandes' arch-rivals won't come as too great a surprise to football fans, as the club's strips were sponsored by Lotus and Proton a few seasons ago.The subtle suggestion that Mr Fernandes should look at Norwich City FC as a possible Premier League investment opportunity looks a little more unlikely now, as the Canaries agreed a five year partnership deal with Group Lotus (effectively the black & gold 'Renault' Formula 1 team).

    The agreement between NCFC and Fernandes' arch-rivals won't come as too great a surprise to football fans, as the club's strips were sponsored by Lotus and Proton during the 2005 season.

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