Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver makes Rangers bid

RANGERS received an £18 million offer from the owner of an American basketball team last month, according to a BBC report.
Sarver is reported to have made his offer to Rangers chairman David Somers. Picture: SNSSarver is reported to have made his offer to Rangers chairman David Somers. Picture: SNS
Sarver is reported to have made his offer to Rangers chairman David Somers. Picture: SNS

However, the move by Robert Sarver to secure a controlling interest in the Ibrox club is unlikely to succeed following recent share purchases by Dave King and the group led by Douglas Park.

Sarver, who owns the Phoenix Suns, is reported to have made his offer to Rangers chairman David Somers in an email that was sent just after Christmas.

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It is claimed that he was initially committed to buying 100 per cent of the club, but that is now unlikely due to Park’s group, which also includes George Letham and George Taylor, owning almost 20 per cent and King almost 15 per cent.

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The approach by 52-year-old Sarver may not be totally dead, however, as the report stated that the financier is prepared to work alongside fans’ groups and other Rangers-supporting businesssmen.

“Sarver is a serious player with superb credentials,” a source close to the deal is quoted by the BBC. “He is a very well-funded, long-term investor with an impeccable 30-year business pedigree.

“He knows what it takes to make major sports clubs successful and would bring a tremendous track record to Rangers.

“He has three sons who are all very keen footballers and he watches their games every weekend.

“He is regarded as a straight-talking and very determined guy with a genuine passion for sport and an impressive record of success at the highest level of US sport and business.

“Of course, he sees this as an exciting opportunity to invest in a major sporting institution, but given his involvement in the NBA, he fully realises that, without the broad support of fans, any proposals are doomed to failure.”

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