The Facts
The British Premier League club Manchester United is discussing granting exclusivity to the consortium led by Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani in $6B-plus sale talks, Reuters reported Thursday.
Shares of the 20 League titles winner rose nearly 15%, eventually stabilizing and closing at $24.81 following the news — roughly a 7% increase from its opening price.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Glazers have been terrible to Manchester United, but it doesn't mean their replacement will be any good, especially if the ownership is transferred to one of the world's most heinous regimes. Qatari owners pursuing to buy immediate identification with a global brand and British society have nothing meaningful to offer United fans in a potential takeover that would corrupt the club's soul.
Narrative B
Sheikh Jassim is a lifelong Manchester United supporter who wants to bring the glory days back to the club like any other United fan, promising hefty investments in the soccer team and local community, a renewed stadium, and improved training facilities. False allegations that this bid stems from the so-called Qatari "sport-swashing" are fueled by resentment from those ceding power to new actors.
