The idea in our fan base that peaceful, non-disruptive protest will have any impact is misguided at best and an uncharitable take might be to suggest that it’s knowingly giving the Glazers an easy ride.
- The company is effectively privately owned given the disparity in voting rights between Class A and B, no hostile takeover is possible, despite Knighton’s bluster.
- As such, the only way a sale is possible is for the Glazers to accept an offer.
-They believe that they can hold out for something in the 7-8 billion range, which would be attainable if the Super League or an analogous concept were to take off. This looks unlikely for now.
- No sane person with the means to make such an offer would agree with this valuation, given the club needs 1.5-2 billion in investment to improve the ground, training facilities and playing squad. The club could have done this with its own funds, but is no longer in the position to do so given the draining of resources over the last 17 years.
- There would be willing buyers in the 3-4 billion range (the Saudis offered 3.8, Ratcliffe would probably move at this figure)
- As supporters, our only move is to motivate the Glazers into accepting a realistic offer.
- A negative PR and commercial impact is the only way to motivate the Glazers in this direction, see their attempts at placating fans following the Liverpool 2021 postponement. Concerted action of this type will make them seriously consider cashing out.
No change is possible without short-term pain, otherwise the status quo remains. The direct action that achieved societal change in every decade before the 80s has been painted by those in power as violent and unnecessary. The greatest trick pulled by western institutions is to get those they supposedly serve to lie back and be accepting in the pillaging of their livelihoods and culture.