The firing Tuesday of coach David Moyes followed Manchester United’s worst on-pitch performance in 24 years, seemingly vindicating those fans who foresaw failure under the team’s American owners.<\/p>\n
From the point of view of those owners, the acquisition is hardly a bust. Since the Glazer family\u201d\u201downers of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u201d\u201dgained control of United in 2005, team revenue has nearly doubled on the strength of licensing deals with corporate giants around the world. Since a 2012 offering that transferred 10% of the English soccer club to the public, the value of United shares has climbed 34% to $18.78. That suggests that the franchise is worth $3.1 billion\u201d\u201dmore than twice what the Glazers paid.<\/p>\n
But their quick firing of Moyes\u201d\u201dwho only this season took over following the retirement of the legendary Alex Ferguson \u201d\u201dsuggests the Glazer family doesn’t regard United’s popularity as unshakable, especially at a time when other Premier League teams are pursuing global sponsors and audiences and spending lavishly on players.<\/p>\n