Recession is coming to get football, says Professor Tom Cannon. And heâÂÂs right.
Abramovich, Mittal and Usmanov have already seen their fortunes seriously reduced and the next 12 months will test the mettle of the moneyed men in boardrooms up and down the country.
With ticket sales, sponsorship revenue and merchandising down, thereâÂÂs only one sure way to insulate your club against financial meltdown: a sugar daddy.
Contrary to popular belief, not all of the wealthiest men in the world have already bought British clubs. US magazine Forbes publishes an annual list of the WorldâÂÂs Richest Men. HereâÂÂs FFT.comâÂÂs selection of the fellas you might want to persuade to take over your club
Warren Buffett â $62 billion
The 77-year-old American is a friend and bridge partner of the former WorldâÂÂs Richest Man, Bill Gates. He has no known interest or knowledge of football⦠sounds perfect.
Tenuous link Lives in Dundee (albeit the one in Omaha, Nebraska) so two Scottish clubs spring to mind. Would certainly shake up the Old Firm duopoly.
Carlos Slim Helu â $60 billion
Mexican billionaire who made his cash from telecommunications. Once linked with buying the Honda F1 team, but perhaps he could be persuaded to follow Bernie and Flavio into football.
Tenuous link According to Wikipedia, SlimâÂÂs dad established a dry goods store called La Estrella del Oriente (Star of the Orient). You know where weâÂÂre heading with this one, donâÂÂt you?
William Gates III â $58 billion
Cash-strapped Bill may be looking to hold on to his remaining cash after the ignominy of dropping to third in Forbesâ list. But given that we handed him an honorary knighthood in 2005, he owes it to England to save a club from financial ruin.
Tenuous link If they gave him stadium naming rights, how about Bristol City (Ashton Gates III) or Chesterfield (SalterGates III)?
Gates, Gates & Buffet: "We've always been hardcore Spireites"
The Ambani brothers â combined wealth $85 billion
Only one problem with this double act: they donâÂÂt get on. Really donâÂÂt get on. Imagine Gillett and Hicks with sibling rivalry thrown in. So youâÂÂll have to choose between Mukesh (worth $43 billion) and Anil ($42 billion).
Tenuous link Mukesh is building a 27-storey home, which might solve the stadium relocation issues dogging Everton. Anil would suit FulhamâÂÂs away games: his name could slot in seamlessly after theirs â Home team 2 Fulham Anil.
Li Ka-shing â $26.5 billion
Only the 11th richest man in the world but worthy of note â not just because his name sounds like KER-CHING! but because heâÂÂs announced that over time heâÂÂs going to donate a third of his fortune to charitable causes.
Tenuous link We challenge you to find anyone more charitable than West BromâÂÂs current defence. $9bn spent on shoring that up might just save them from relegation.
Ingvar Kamprad â $31 billion
The founder and owner of IKEA â âÂÂthe preferred furniture company for the hip and cost-consciousâ â the worldâÂÂs sixth-richest person is already popular in millions of homes throughout Britain and, more importantly, used to dealing with unruly crowds.
Tenuous link Newcastle United: close to Scandinavia, and they could do with a reliable and quickly assembled flat pack four.
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For the full Rich List, see FourFourTwo magazine, out now. If quoting, credit FourFourTwo magazine and link to FourFourTwo.com.
The new issue of the magazine includes exclusive interviews with Robinho, Dimitar Berbatov, Russell Brand and Woking boss Phil Gilchrist, among many others.
FOURFOURTWO.COM: MORE TO READ
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BLOG: How will recession hurt football?
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BLOG: How the Rich List has changed in half a decade
BLOG: Who is this Sheikh character?
BLOG: ...and who's this Lakshmi Mittal?
BLOG: How to buy a football club
BLOG: ...and some rich folk you might like to ask
BLOG: Rich List FAQs
FORUM: Discuss the Rich List in the forum
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