Disney CEO outbids Avram Glazer to buy Angel City soccer team from celebrity owners

Manchester United part-owner Avram Glazer has reportedly been unsuccessful in an attempt to become the controlling shareholder of National Women's Soccer League club Angel City . He allegedly tried to acquire a stake in the Los Angeles-based club, currently ranked 11th in the NWSL.

Avram is one of six Glazer family members who hold shares in United, and they recently profited from selling a 25 percent stake in the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe this year. The Glazers also own the NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Avram owns the International League T20 cricket team Desert Vipers.

The Athletic reports that unnamed sources familiar with the matter claim Glazer pursued a stake in Angel City but was outbid by Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay, who are reportedly on the verge of gaining control of the club.

READ MORE: Man Utd legend set to return as part of $34M deal after new owner performs U-turn

READ MORE: David Beckham wants World Cup winner to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after Man Utd exit

Angel City's current valuation is estimated at $250 million, and it's reported that Iger and Bay are set to invest over $50m to take control from the club's largest shareholder, Alexis Ohanian - Serena Williams' husband, who reportedly does not control the board.

Angel City, which was announced in July 2020 and played its inaugural season in the NWSL in 2022, boasts three co-founding partners: Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman, and Julie Uhrman. The club also enjoys investment from celebrities like Williams, Billie Jean King, Jennifer Garner, and former USWNT stars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Shannon Boxx.

In contrast, Manchester United is facing a significant shakeup. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' comprehensive cost review has led to potential redundancies for nearly a quarter of the club's workforce. Staff were informed in a series of Wednesday morning meetings that up to 250 of the club's 1,150 employees could be let go.

The review concluded that cuts should be made across all departments, as the size and shape of the club do not reflect current on-pitch performances. This means INEOS believes they have more staff than necessary.

Glazer's interest in acquiring a women's team becomes even more intriguing considering the history of United's female side. Established in 2018, the team previously approached the Professional Footballer's Association (PFA) seeking improved facilities and questioning the club's commitment to its women's team.

Since then, the Red Devils' victorious Women's FA Cup winners team has been relegated to changing in portacabins after the men's first team moved into the women's building. This move came with INEOS' £50m development of the Carrington training facility.