Earlier today there was a report that Mike Ashley issued a deadline to Clear TV CEO Henry Mauriss. The claim, which came from The Mirror, says that Mike Ashley has given the American businessman until August 14 to reach an agreement to take over Newcastle United.
The Mirror have followed up with another report citing a source close to Mauriss who claims the 56-year-old is keen on a deal. However, it appears that this going so public could pose some problems.
Here is what the source said as reported by the Mirror:
“Henry is still interested in buying and is totally focused about trying to get a deal done.
“But it won’t be played out in public – that’s not his style. He has been watching developments and having discussions with his advisors. Mike Ashley and his lawyers are aware of Henry’s interest as they had discussions in December.
“Henry is genuinely interested in buying Newcastle. He’s a strategist. He’s been studying other Premier League clubs and making plans. Let’s see.”
Calls for Mauriss to release his plans for Newcastle have been met with resistance. He seems to want all the focus on his interest in Newcastle to go underground, which is generally how these deals get done.
If these reports are accurate, it cannot be helpful that so much scrutiny is now on the American. However, that may not be able to be avoided as the collapse of the Saudi bid has made worldwide headlines so any outside interest is going to be reported.
The key is going to be for Ashley and Mauriss to keep leaks to a minimum and see if a deal can be struck. It looks like the two haven’t met since December so the next two weeks could be crucial for any agreement to be reached.
Though all this begs the question of why this source is speaking out when Mauriss is said to be very protective of his privacy and doesn’t want this played out in public.
Note – here’s a petition to sign to get an independent review of the EPL Takeover process – please sign it – thanks.
188 comments so far
toon22
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #1We’ve more chance of Santa Clsuse buying us
This guys a total non starter
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:44 PM
Comment #2How tf do you mis -spell Claus as Clsuse
do you have a drink problem ?
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Comment #3“Some people call me Maurice…”
Harrogate mag
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Comment #4Drink problem …2 hands….only one mouth
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Comment #5Space cowboy
Harrogate mag
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:47 PM
Comment #6Ron knee…pmsl
lochinvar
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:47 PM
Comment #7Mauriss and Ashley are in cahoots with Chris Ronnie as their bridesmaid. This is pure fakeover number 27.
Meanwhile other tie rag journos have the Saudis after AC Milan. Presumably without Amanda and the Reubens. Italy is all but bankcrupt and has covid problems so hardly investment central.
What tripe
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:47 PM
Comment #8Drink problem …..the pubs are shutting again
toon22
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:49 PM
Comment #9JIB
I’m glad the blog has such an expert as yourself
Always at had to make an utter d1ck of himself
Congratulations
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #10Ron
you think Henry could be The Joker
toon22
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #11You don’t look like your trying to defend another one of the turds lies in any way lol
It’s never Jabbas fault
toon22
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #12JIB
Hahahahaha
This guys got nee chance
Nee money and bent as a 9 bob note
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:52 PM
Comment #13I’m sorry, but I just think this is total BS. Oh, he may want to buy the club, but with his supposed wealth no where close to AshLIE and others. Unless he has financial backing from SOMEWHERE, this is not going to happen. He could be given until Next August 14th and he still would not finalize a deal.
And when it falls apart, he can always say there where too many leaks or “hoops” to jump through.
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:52 PM
Comment #14Maybe he’s the pompatus of love, Jib?
Harrogate mag
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:53 PM
Comment #15Paul…as per usual mate
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Comment #16Harrogate-
Yup! Different verse, same as the first.
Nufc 4ever
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Comment #17Mund
I’ll March and I can hardly walk 100 yards I’d crawl to show them bent people
hibbit
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Comment #18and the news we’ve all been waiting for https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/12287438/saudi-public-investment-fund-ac-milan-newcastle-takeover/
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Comment #19OMG, Steve Miller references!!
Harrogate mag
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Comment #20We are UNITED….we won’t be defeated HWTL
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Comment #21Hibbit @18-
Oh, if true, let’s see Amnesty International and all those who pi$$ed and moaned about PIF buying NUFC give AC Milan the same grief!!!
mactoon
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Comment #22There is no chance of doing a deal quietly because as soon as they get a sniff the journalists report every detail from “reliable sources”. Take a look back and find out how many were true or accurate.
As long as any bidder can ignore these reports then it could be ok
JohnJ
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Comment #23Almost 45,000 have signed!
geordietom
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Comment #24read that earlier click bait ..
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #25Never really noticed Gerald Johnson before
https://youtu.be/dV3AziKTBUo
ChicoUSA
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:12 PM
Comment #26So what are you all thinking is the real reason for the sale breakdown?
Real Reason for breakdown of sale
1. The consortium truly just wanted the buying “owner” to be listed as the KSA or MBS instead of a amorphous owner: the PIF and the Saudi’s balked at that. (Likely Master story if he ever speaks and as NY Mag stated is a valid reason for refusing the sale according to Owner and Directors Fitness test)
2. Similar to 1 except the Pl was making such an impossible request as a way to kill the deal and do the will of other PL clubs that feared a powerful NUFC. (Amanda Stavely’s story)
3. Similar to 1 except reason was to tie the KSA and MBS tightly to the PIF and therefore tie the PIF to the piracy problem as per the WTO findings.
4. PIF due to economic concerns about value of club in the COVID-19 world condition, was looking for way of backing out of deal to save face so merely used issue 1 as excuse. (Tsunki’s theory)
5. Mike Ashley somehow scuppered the deal and is just lying about wanting to fight 100% for it to happen.
6. Other reason not in this list?
ChicoUSA
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:22 PM
Comment #27Sorry didn’t mean to kill the blog, I was just trying to see what,of the many theories floating around most folks felt was the true reason for the sale breakdown? Also to see if I listed them all and to get any others added to the list…
My own thinking is reason 2. Masters will use 1 for cover but actual reason was 2.
ChicoUSA
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:26 PM
Comment #28Oops, #1 should have been
1. The Pl truly just wanted …
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #29Chico
I think the PL have been cynical and cowardly – not that I’m biased, of course!
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:30 PM
Comment #30ChicoUSA-
#1—30%
#2—15%
#3—40%
#4—10%
#5—<5%
#6—<5%
Most of it due to the fact that there were always more questions/roadblocks for the PIF to jump over.
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:36 PM
Comment #31I’m not making excuses for the PL but with the Lockdown and it’s ramifications – accusations of backsliding on the racism issues displeasure with VAR etc. they were guaranteed not to make anything that could be regarded as a controversial decision
ChicoUSA
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:37 PM
Comment #32Ron,
I think 100% of us will agree that Masters and the PL are cowardly! 😉
Paul,
Having mixed feelings or thoughts about it perfectly valid! Your leading reason (40%) being the piracy issue it appears….
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Comment #33Jib–or an actionable one as far as lawsuits were concerned. Just my opinion.
ilovetoon8788
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #34Henry Mauris will be Ashley v2.
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Comment #35ChicoUSA, you are right about my idea of the piracy issue being what scuppered the deal. And these past few months, if I didn’t know what “angst” was, I do now, lol.
DubaiMicky
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Comment #36ilovetoon8788
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #34
Henry Mauris will be Ashley v2.
I concur 100%
Paul141726
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Comment #37ilovetoon, I just don’t think the process will get that far. But if it does, could be even worse, although I don’t see how that could be possible.
mactoon
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:46 PM
Comment #38@ChicoUSA Comment #26
I think the way Staveley told it is probably what happened. The epl asked the consortium to list the Saudi state as a director which could be seen as a direct link to piracy (as the WHO report stated Saudi didn’t do enough to find or punish those within it’s country who were responsible for the piracy)
They then told Staveley that they would just sit on the bid without making a decision until they did as they wanted. Seeing no way forward given the epl’s stance they decided to withdraw the bid.
If this was the case I think the epl should be investigated and held accountable as there is no indication that any of the owners/directors had failed the test yet the league did not pass the bid.
I don’t know why Masters did this, presumably because of pressure from the other clubs but I can’t believe they turned down the chance of such a massive investment in their league.
I just wish the consortium had done more to challenge them and try to force their hand. But who would they take their grievance to? the epl runs itself.
ChicoUSA
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:46 PM
Comment #39Jib,
So sounds like we should add on list
6. Masters and PL just afraid of making any decision because they are shell shocked by all the heat coming their way on various fronts and so they just stalled.
?
the crown princes nashers
Aug 2, 2020 at 2:54 PM
Comment #40I dont think pif are interested in ac malan really well not yet not so soon after withdrawing there offer its just stories to wind us up