The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[The Villa Werewolf]

Still not sure why a 74 year old with the number of interests he has would spend a disproportionate amount of money on Villa. There are better options in all reality.

I think I'm right in saying that when Randy first took over the club, one of his non-executive directors (Michael Martin, maybe?) had links with AEG, which was widely thought to have been the driving force behind the good deal we got out of Nike?

Could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain I remember something along those lines.

Bob Kain, the CEO of IMG and Michael Martin from Brooklyn Holdings were directors.

Bob Kain and IMG, that's the one!

So... completely irrelevant to this rumour, then!

[not3bad]

Still not sure why a 74 year old with the number of interests he has would spend a disproportionate amount of money on Villa. There are better options in all reality.

Maybe it's more of a corporate investment type move than the whims of an individual?  Ultimately getting a toehold in the Premier league would be attractive to a conglomorate that wanted to 'add to its portfolio'.

[Ads]

Does this guy or his group have anything to do with Beckham's venture in Miami?

[The Villa Werewolf]

Does this guy or his group have anything to do with Beckham's venture in Miami?

Don't think so. They do own The LA Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo (who we play during pre-season this year), though.

Their portfolio of sports teams is here: http://aegworldwide.com/sports/sports

[cdbearsfan]

Houston Dynamo? Typical Commie Americans!

[cdbearsfan]

It says there that they also own Hammarby in Sweden (the team, not the place). Isn't that against UEFA rules on the basis that we could, theoretically, play them in European competition?

[fbriai]

No, CD. See the Pozzo family, who own Udinese, Granada and Watford, as evidence to the contrary.

[cdbearsfan]

No worries then. Mind you, Hammarby are in the Second Division. Sack the Board!

[Pete]

It says there that they also own Hammarby in Sweden (the team, not the place). Isn't that against UEFA rules on the basis that we could, theoretically, play them in European competition?

I don't think it would be a problem. First, AEG only have a minority stake in Hammarby, so the UEFA rules are unlikely to apply. Secondly, it would only potentially be a problem if we both qualified for the same European competition - multiple ownership is allowed, but both clubs entering the same competition is not. Finally, as Hammarby are in the second division, and we aren't likely to qualify for anything anytime soon, the chances of a conflict are slim.

[LeeS]

It says there that they also own Hammarby in Sweden (the team, not the place). Isn't that against UEFA rules on the basis that we could, theoretically, play them in European competition?

I don't think it would be a problem. First, AEG only have a minority stake in Hammarby, so the UEFA rules are unlikely to apply. Secondly, it would only potentially be a problem if we both qualified for the same European competition - multiple ownership is allowed, but both clubs entering the same competition is not. Finally, as Hammarby are in the second division, and we aren't likely to qualify for anything anytime soon, the chances of a conflict are slim.

True at the moment. But surely AEG would be working hard to change that on both fronts...

[cdbearsfan]

So what happens if, say, Watford and Udinese both qualify for The Europa League? Does one of them have to withdraw?

[edgysatsuma89]

Appearing at a home game would be a start

I don't really get this "why is our chairman not at the games?" stuff. Why is it so important that the chairman has to be at the games?
I just want the chairman to run the club effectively and provide sufficient funds to deliver some progress: not being at the game is a 'nice to have'.

Fact is:Randy hasn't delivered the basics in terms of running the club effectively even if the funds have been forthcoming.

The owner should sit on a huge throne and show his dissatisfaction via the traditional thumb method

Did you know that it was actually the 'thumb up' that meant death, rather than the often wrongly depicted 'thumb down'. Just thought I'd add that.

I'm bored. Has Derek Spires put a sign up outside VP yet?

[ADVILLAFAN]

Didn't CSKA Moscow and Chelsea play each other in the Champion's League and aren't they both owned by Abramovich?

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Didn't CSKA Moscow and Chelsea play each other in the Champion's League and aren't they both owned by Abramovich?

Abramovich never owned CSKA, but Sibneft, his company at the time sponsored them (a huge amount though).  That sponsorship finished when Gazprom took over Sibneft.

[Pete]

So what happens if, say, Watford and Udinese both qualify for The Europa League? Does one of them have to withdraw?

Only if the same owner controls (generally by owning more than 50% of)  both of them, I believe.