From Fortune:



Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has purchased a stake in Manchester United, defeating other bidders with a $33 a share bid for a 25% stake in the club, valuing it at $5.4 billion. This marks the end of a year-long sale process initiated by the Glazer family, with hype and speculation surrounding the bidding process. At various stages, there were rival offers from the third son of Qatar’s former prime minister, but none were able to meet the co-chairs’ desire to make Manchester United the most expensive sporting asset in the world. The victory cements Ratcliffe’s plans to build out a personal sporting empire that already includes Team Sky and a stake in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. The decision from the Glazers to keep hold of the club will anger fans, who have protested for years to oust the unpopular owners. This purchase also raises questions about how Ratcliffe, a self-made billionaire, will manage the club alongside the Glazers. The club has suffered from years of under-performance and a dilapidated stadium, and Ratcliffe has expressed his ambition to have Manchester United back at the top of English, European, and world football.



Original: Ineos billionaire Jim Ratcliffe buys 25% stake in Manchester United at $5.4 billion valuation