A New Dawn on the Sou' Coast

We had some big news(rumors) come out of the UK today. It appears that Paul Allen (yes our very own Paul Allen) is attempting to buy Southampton FC. Foreign buyers are becoming more and more prevalent in English football.

Many of these investors are American and current owners of Major American sports teams. Liverpool FC was purchased by Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Randy Lerner purchased Aston Villa FC near the beginning of the Premier league season. Just recently Stan Kroenke started a hostile takeover of Arsenal FC. What this means to me is not that Americans are into world football but these millionaires see the ability to tap into a trillion dollar sports industry, which in the long run should mean quality teams in all divisions.

A source close to Allen told the Daily Mail: "He sees Southampton as a sleeping giant, a family-supported club with traditional values."

We know what Allen can do with a team. See 2005 Seattle Seahawks.

I’ve always believed that smaller English clubs could and should be bought by investors. This would elevate the overall game in the England. I bet even the Lodge could pool some money and buy Millwall. Who wouldn’t want a return of Queens Park, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday to the Premier league? Let the big 4 teams (Chelsea, Arsenal, ManU, Liverpool) feel some real heat. I don’t see many negatives to these foreign owners, though they of course must be dedicated to winning.