A new owner for Newcastle United: Mike Ashley, the billionaire owner of pile-it-high-sell-it-cheap, charver chain store Sports Soccer. I know virtually nothing about Mr Ashley, and I'll be more than glad to see the back of the Halls - bankrupt businessmen who made a £88 million profit out of the family cash cow - and Freddie Shepherd, but I utterly reject the notion that underpins every football takeover: the game is a business, the fans mere consumers.
Reports suggest that Ashley will invest £25 million on new players. In reality, it's the supporters who'll do the investing, either directly or indirectly. Season ticket prices will go up; those can afford it will be feted with new megastores, hospitality packages and corporate seats; the people who get priced out will be expected to prop up massive TV deals by buying pay TV subscriptions instead.
Until the people get their game back, my money and support go elsewhere.
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