Reasons for the takeover?

Not sure if this should be in the takeover thread but I thought it deserved to be a separate topic! I was just wondering what people thought were the reasons for the mad rush to take over football clubs? My guess is that they must all be expecting to make money on Internet rights and subscriptions in the future as this is the only way that all the new owners will recoup their money with out having to rely on Champions League qualification and other non certainties (i.e. whether Newcastle will be granted rights for a casino, West Ham making money on relocating to the new Olympic stadium).

It doesn’t take too much of a smart person to know that Internet rights will happen at some stage and when they do the clubs will make a fortune. It all looks very similar to just before the “sky revolution” kicked off and I can see it having the same impact. For example just before and after Sky was launched many clubs floated on the stock market. Only difference now is that new owners are coming in and taking the clubs private again.

Speaking about the early 90’s I think it was obvious what was going to happen with Satellite TV and it’s impact on football which is one of the reasons I never had too much affection for John Hall. Fair play to him for putting his money down but I don’t think he had the Toon at heart, it was strictly business, though possibly for the adulation as well (naming a stand after himself). The very fact that he decided to watch the Falcons instead of us when he took them over says it all really!

Going slightly off topic, if I am right with regards to Internet rights, then the one club who would benefit more than any other is Celtic as I could see them making a shed load of money!!