James Harding: Business Editor
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So it appears that Mike Ashley is considering the sale of his new toy, Newcastle United, two months after buying the mighty premiership club for £133 million.
The billionaire has quickly raised the wrath of the City since floating Sports Direct by refusing to play the corporate governance game and, worst of all, not delivering strong profits growth.
Buying Newcastle was always a strange move for a supposedly shy and secretive man, especially as he is said to be a Spurs fan. He spotted a cheap deal and bought in haste.
Mr Ashley’s cavalier attitude towards the ownership of a football club may invoke the wrath of a more formidable enemy than the City – the Toon Army.
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Why would he buy the club, invest so much into clearing the debts (a reported £30,000,000), then sell up. He hasn't done that much at the club yet, surely he can't sell and make more than 10 or 15 million pounds profit? That would be a drop in the oceon for someone supposedly worth 1.9 billion. It's absurd. Newcastle weren't a big club/company when he bought them and they still aren't. He will wait until he has made the club into one that regularly wins things and a company that offers a more substantial return than it currently does before he sells, which could take 4 or 5 years. As a wise man once said; "you have to spend money to make money".
Luke Etchingham, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
i dont think it would be a good idea as the club has just started to get back together after the departure of glen roader and also the departure of freddie sheaperd and now mike ashley is thinking about selling the club that will send the club back into difficulties. which could lead to the relagation from the top flight.
john low, alnwick, england