Simon Jordan has stated that he ‘doesn’t overly like’ the idea of more American ownership coming into the Premier League amid the Leeds United rumours, as he told talkSPORT.
Andrea Radrizzani is the majority owner of Leeds, with the San Francisco 49ers owning 44% of the club and they are now set to increase that to a full majority during the next two years, according to The Athletic.
If that’s the case, then Leeds will be owned by American’s, just like Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in England’s top-flight.
In truth, all of those clubs don’t exactly have rosy relationships with their supporters.
And the recent attempts to try and enter the European Super League, which included all of the above, just made matters much, much worse.
Not only that, when it comes to sport in England, compared to what goes on in America, they don’t do promotion and relegation, so when they take ownership of enterprises in this country, then they have to get used to the unpredictably.
Jordan knows exactly what it’s like sitting in the hot seat given that he was once the owner of Crystal Palace, albeit it went horribly wrong, as he touched upon why he’s not liking what he’s hearing from the Elland Road boardroom.
“Another American owner in the Premier League,” said Jordan. “I don’t overly like. If you look at the route of our problems, in the Premier League, it’s Kroenke, Glazer and Henry because of their American attitude.
“You (Jim White) had a long conversation many years ago with Bob Kraft from the New England Patriots and New England Revolution about why he wouldn’t invest in English football, to paraphrase it, because he doesn’t like the uncertainty. You have to be guaranteed to win, it’s the American thinking.
“So, with that in mind, you are bringing another fox into the proverbial henhouse. It’s another sad indication that a business that belongs to the people of this country, it was built in this country, but subsequently, gets foreign ownership.
“Why is it that only foreign investors can see the value of the business in this country? And community-based businesses in this country? Like Leeds, a brilliant, brilliant football club, with brilliant fans.”
In truth, all Leeds fans want is the club to be run in a much better fashion and with a lot more care than the last time they were in the Premier League.
Even though they are going through some struggle of late, it has been nothing but an upward trajectory for the club in recent years and it’s a case of continuing that positive drive forward.
After a top ten finish last season, it’s more of a struggle for the Whites this term and they are hoping that second season syndrome doesn’t hit Yorkshire.
Sheffield United went straight back down after a positive first season for them, and after recent injuries to Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips, there will be a lot more worried faces around Elland Road.
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