CNN
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Nigerian tech entrepreneur Dozy Mmobuosi has “made a deposit” to purchase Sheffield United, in a takeover that may make him the one Black majority proprietor in England’s prime two skilled leagues.
Sheffield United at the moment lie second in the Championship competitors and are on track to being promoted to the Premier League, which is dwelling to among the world’s richest groups.
Mmobuosi, who’s the CEO and founding father of Tingo Inc. and Tingo International Holdings Inc., advised CNN in an unique interview earlier this week that he might be financing the deal on his personal and to point out how severe he’s about shopping for the membership, he’s already put cash down.
“It is my money. And I have actually made a deposit,” Mmobuosi revealed throughout the interview in London.
“I would expect myself and the club to issue a joint statement you know that would have details concerning how much, but I have made a deposit and that shows my seriousness for a start,” he stated.
“For me it’s long term … I believe we’ll get to the Premiership and will remain there,” the Nigerian businessman stated.
Mmobuosi says that he started discussions with the membership’s proprietor, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdullah, on the “end of November, early December” and is now ready for the English Football League (EFL) to finish its homeowners’ and administrators’ check.
“I put forward a detailed plan with the EFL and of course to the club,” Mmobuosi stated.
“And I’m working closely with the club to get things moving. So I don’t want to talk too much about the approval, but we’ll leave that in the capable hands of the EFL,” he stated.
Both Sheffield United and the EFL each declined to remark about Mmobuosi’s takeover bid.
Mmobuosi additionally addressed the claims raised in a report by The Athletic that there was no proof that certainly one of his firms Tingo Airlines had ever taken a flight, and the web site didn’t seem to exist.
“I have to laugh,” exclaimed Mmobuosi. “Just earlier than Covid, I stated to my spouse, ‘Look, I think it’s excessive time I began placing issues collectively to start out this airline dream I’ve all the time had,.
“We began the method first to include the enterprise, have the feasibility research and start to recruit folks. But Covid occurred, and as an entrepreneur you’ve got plans, you set plans in place and you then attempt to lease plane, they start to delay.
“So Covid came and I thought to myself, ‘Look, I’m finding it difficult. I spoke with consultants, it became impossible.”
“I released a statement (Tuesday) addressing that we have since started the process of dissolving the business, dissolving the entity we created here as it’s really not of use to us anymore,” he stated.
Mmobuosi has remained tight-lipped on his plans for the membership, however he did affirm that there could be fan illustration on the board.
“Yes, the fans are going to be involved because the football club is for them,” he stated. “I’m an investor and a co-owner and I’m going to own it with them.”
Mmobuosi says that his objective could be to deliver in one of the best folks to run the membership, and ship outcomes, however range could be a key pillar for him.
Upon completion of the deal, Mmobuosi would develop into solely the second African proprietor and the primary Black majority proprietor at the moment in England’s prime two skilled soccer leagues, consisting of 44 golf equipment throughout the size and breadth of the nation, in line with CNN analysis.
In the Premier League, actor Michael B. Jordan is part proprietor at Bournemouth and basketball celebrity LeBron James has a minority stake at Liverpool, whereas Egyptian Nassef Sawiris is the co-chair and joint proprietor of Aston Villa.
“I believe in diversity. So it’s not a Black thing. It’s not an African thing. You know, we have to consider all races. But what is more important is the best man for the job,” Mmobuosi stated.
“But there’ll be a good level of diversity introduced maybe for the first time,” he added. “I understand I’m doing this also for my continent, and I won’t let my own continent down.”