If information is to be believed, then English Premier League club – Blackburn Rovers is to be in Indians hand soon. Saurin Shah, the man who plans to takeover the club is a businessman with shipping and textile interests from Mumbai. He also happens to be the nephew of Niranjan Shah, the former Secy. of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and presently the Vice-President of IPL (Indian Premier League).
As the club opens up its financial account for evaluation, Shah and his consortium will make a fresh bid at about 45 million pounds after its initial offer of 25 million pounds have been turned down. With fresh investment, the board is aiming to finish higher in the league table, after finishing 10th the last season.
Meanwhile, Shah chooses to bid for Blackburn owing to its growth potential and a huge South Asian population. If bided successfully, through Shah’s Qubic Sports Investment Firm, a high growth revenue model might be introduced on the line of IPL. Cross marketing between IPL and the club is on the card as well. Moreover with innovative marketing strategy and by bringing the glamour of star footballers and Bollywood together, the untapped Asian population could be drawn towards the game.
However, this is not the first time an Indian has been linked to takeover an EPL Clubs. The Ambani Brothers were also linked with clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton. Some British Asian businessmen have eyed the smaller clubs without success. It is only the Mittal’s who own controlling stake at Championship side Queens Park Rangers FC and hope to gain promotion to the Premier League this season.
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