Explainers

THE Billionaire Glazer family is well known for investing in sporting franchises on both sides of the Atlantic.Here we take a look at the life and business ventures of Joel Glazer.Joel Glazer shaking hands with United legend Paul Scholes at the team’s training ground in May 2011Credit: Action Images – ReutersWho is Joel Glazer?Joel Glazer was born on March 31, 1967, in Rochester, New York, US.He has four brothers — Avram, Kevin, Bryan and Edward — and a sister named Darcie.Joel attended the American University in Washington DC, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in 1989.He is married to clinical psychologist Angela, and the couple has two children — a son named Dylan and a daughter called Zoey.READ MORE ON THE GLAZERSHow long has Joel Glazer owned Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers?In 1995, American tycoon Malcolm Glazer paid a then-record $192million for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The Glazer family has owned the franchise ever since, and according to Forbes it’s now worth an estimated $4billion.Joel is the co-chairman of the NFL outfit along with his brothers Bryan and Edward.Under the siblings’ tenure, the Bucs won their first Super Bowl in 2003 — going on to lift the game’s biggest title once again in 2021.Most read in FootballThey also opened an impressive new stadium, where home team touchdowns are celebrated by numerous cannons firing from a 103-foot replica pirate ship.Malcolm also bought a controlling share in Manchester United — expanding his business empire on this side of the Atlantic.Plane flies ‘Glazers Out’ banner over NFL clash as Man Utd fan protest hits the US amid takeover uncertaintyBetween 2003 and 2005, Malcolm acquired ownership of United in a £790m takeover, gradually buying out shareholders.Joel has been the co-chairman of Man U, along with his brother Avram, since 2005.British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group bought a quarter of the Glazer family’s 68 per cent stake in the Red Devils in February 2024.Ratcliffe has been in charge of “football operations” at the club since then.Rather than requesting it, the Man Utd board asked the businessman to assume control of the footballing side of the business.A statement released at the time read: “As part of the transaction, Ineos has accepted a request by the board to be delegated responsibility for the management of the club’s football operations.”Over the past 20 years, the Glazer’s ownership of the Premier League team has been a point of controversy.There have been repeated fan protests ever since the American family took charge.A great many Utd supporters feel that the club moved away from its local, traditional values.Joel Glazer (right) with brothers Avram (left) and Bryan (centre)Credit: APWhat else does Joel Glazer own?Joel has been active in the Tampa Bay community through the Glazer Family Foundation, which IS dedicated to helping children in the local area.Among its many achievements, the charity constructed the Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa, which opened in 2010.Along with his brothers Bryan and Edward, Joel is a co-owner of First Allied Corporation — a real estate holding company that owns and rents out US shopping malls. In 2021, Joel was one of the key figures attempting to set up the breakaway European Super League, before being forced to pull out due to the severe backlash from fans.In a statement on United’s website, he apologised to fans, saying: “We fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.”In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions — promotion, relegation, the pyramid — and for that we are sorry.”This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.”It is important for us to put that right.”And in July 2024, reports emerged that the Glazers are looking to get involved in the UK cricket market.The family is among the potential parties who could invest in a Hundred franchise, according to The Telegraph.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile the report doesn’t mention a particular team they are interested in purchasing, they might decide to stay close to home and throw their support behind Manchester Originals.The side plays out of the Old Trafford cricket ground — just 800 metres down the road from the football stadium. More

THE Glazer family is worth billions of pounds and owns teams in multiple sports, including a majority stake in Manchester United.Here we get to know the eldest son of the late Malcolm Glazer — Avram.Avram Glazer shaking hands with Erik ten Hag at the FA Cup final between Man U and Man City at Wembley Stadium on June 3, 2023Credit: AlamyWho is Avram Glazer?Avram Glazer, known as Avie, was born on October 19, 1960, in Rochester, New York, US.He attended Pittsford Mendon High School, before receiving a BS degree in business administration from Washington University in 1982.In 1978, he was awarded the Junior Achievement Outstanding Young Businessman Of The Year.The American businessman is the eldest of Malcolm and Linda Glazer’s six children.READ MORE ON THE GLAZERSHe has four brothers — Kevin, Bryan, Joel and Edward — and a sister named Darcie.How long has Avram Glazer owned Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers?The Glazer family has owned the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1995, when American tycoon Malcolm Glazer paid a then-record $192million for the franchise.According to Forbes, it’s now worth an estimated $4billion (£3.1m).Looking to expand his business empire on both sides of the Atlantic, he also purchased a majority stake in Premier League outfit Manchester United.Most read in FootballMalcolm gradually bought out shareholders between 2003 and 2005, eventually acquiring ownership of United in a £790m takeover.Avram has been the co-chairman of United, along with his brother Joel, since 2005.Plane flies ‘Glazers Out’ banner over NFL clash as Man Utd fan protest hits the US amid takeover uncertaintyIn February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group bought a quarter of the Glazer’s 68 per cent stake in the club.Since then Ratcliffe has been in charge of “football operations”.The wording of a statement released at the time revealed the Man Utd board asked the businessman to assume control of the footballing side of the business, rather than Ratcliffe requesting it.It read: “As part of the transaction, Ineos has accepted a request by the board to be delegated responsibility for the management of the club’s football operations.”The Glazer family’s ownership of the Red Devils has been a point of controversy for the past 20 years.Ever since the American family took charge of Man U there have been repeated fan protests.Many supporters believe that the club has moved away from its traditional local values.Avram Glazer (left) with brothers Bryan (centre) and Joel (right)Credit: APWhat else does Avram Glazer own?Avram’s earlier business career included being chairman and chief executive of the Zapata Corporation — which was founded by George W Bush — between 1995 and 2009.In December 2021, he purchased a franchise from the brand-new T20 league in the United Arab Emirates.He said: “I am very excited to be a part of UAE T20 at its formation. UAE T20 promises to be a world-class event that will be transformative to the growth of cricket in the Emirates.”The UAE T20 league is a six-team competition which began in January 2023.And in July 2024, reports emerged that the Glazers are set to dip their toes into the UK cricket market.According to The Telegraph, the family is among the potential parties who could investment in a Hundred franchise — although the report doesn’t mention a particular team they hold an interest in purchasing.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf they chose to stay close to home, they could throw their support behind Manchester Originals.The team plays at the Old Trafford cricket ground, which is located just 800 metres down the road from the football stadium. More