FOOTBALL: Malcolm Glazer goes home at 86

Malcolm Glazer, the man who led the
controversial takeover of Manchester United in
2005, has died at the age of 86.
Since Glazer bought United for £790 million,
the club has won five Premier League titles as
well as the 2008 Champions League title.
It is understood Glazer's death will not have
any significant effect on the ownership of the
Premier League club.
Within a year of the leveraged buyout, Glazer
had two strokes and his children ran United,
all of them sitting on the board of directors and
owning the remaining 90 percent of the club.
A statement on the Manchester United website
read: "The thoughts of everyone at Manchester
United are with the Glazer family tonight
following the news that Malcolm Glazer has
passed away.
"Staff at Manchester United extend deep and
sincere condolences to them all at this difficult
time."
A statement on the website of NFL team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which Glazer bought
in 1995, confirmed the news.
It read: "We are saddened to announce the
passing of Owner/President Malcolm Glazer
earlier this morning.
"A dynamic business leader, Glazer helped
mould the Buccaneers into a model franchise
and one respected league-wide. Since being
purchased by Glazer in 1995, the Buccaneers
franchise has earned seven playoff berths, five
playoff wins, and captured its first Super Bowl
championship in 2002.
"Known among his league peers as a
pioneering thinker, Glazer infused his team
and employees with the determination and
dedication to be the best in the NFL. Glazer's
commitment to building a championship
organization has provided the foundation for
continued success, on and off the field.
"Glazer's input was instrumental on the
league level as well, as evidenced by his time
serving on the NFL's Finance Committee. He
also played a major role in Tampa becoming a
host for the Super Bowl on several
occasions."
He leaves behind his wife Linda, six children
and 14 grandchildren.
Glazer's takeover of United was hugely
controversial with fans because of the amount
of debt he incurred in buying the club, which
costs millions to service.
Financial analyst David Buik told Sky Sports
News that he believes Glazer, who had been ill
for some time, would have made all necessary
arrangements for the running of the club in the
event of his death.
"When you advancing in years at the age of
85, if you haven't made provisions for an
unhappy event such as this then you have not
done your homework," he said.
"I don't believe for one minute that an
American businessman who has got exposure
in debt, in a substantial manner - and having
two sons, Avram and Joel, who are hands on -
won't have made provisions.
"What happens tomorrow morning? It is
possible the share price might come down a
bit as a reaction. But the rest of the Glazer
family is in place."
Glazer was a controversial figure in England,
but in the US he was a hugely respected
businessman, particularly for turning Tampa
Bay from a laughing stock into a Super Bowl-
winning franchise.
Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy
posted on Twitter: "Rest in peace to the
driving force that helped transform the
organization that changed my life forever.
Forever grateful!! RIP Mr. Glazer."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added:
"Malcolm Glazer was the guiding force behind
the building of a Super Bowl-champion
organization.
"His dedication to the community was evident
in all he did, including his leadership in
bringing Super Bowls to Tampa Bay.
"Malcolm's commitment to the Bucs, the NFL
and the people of the Tampa Bay region are
the hallmarks of his legacy.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife,
Linda, their six children and the entire Glazer
family."