Paul Murray: “Ashley negotiations a matter of urgency”
Rangers’ interim chairman Paul
Murray has reiterated his desire to sit down with Mike Ashley to discuss his
involvement at Ibrox.
Murray has reiterated his desire to sit down with Mike Ashley to discuss his
involvement at Ibrox.
Following the concession on the
Rangers board’s part that negotiating the conditions of Newcastle owner Ashley’s
ownership of the Club crest and trademarks is a ‘matter of urgency’, a meeting
is top of the agenda.
Rangers board’s part that negotiating the conditions of Newcastle owner Ashley’s
ownership of the Club crest and trademarks is a ‘matter of urgency’, a meeting
is top of the agenda.
Murray said:
“We’re looking into all the contractual
relationships with Sports Direct. I’ve been here a month now and we’re looking
into this with a matter of urgency as of today’s date.”
relationships with Sports Direct. I’ve been here a month now and we’re looking
into this with a matter of urgency as of today’s date.”
He went on:
“We said before we have to engage with him
and we’re happy to do that. He’s a large shareholder, he’s got a number of
commercial relationships with the Club so we have to do that and sit down at
some point. We haven’t done it so far, but it’s certainly the plan to do that.”
and we’re happy to do that. He’s a large shareholder, he’s got a number of
commercial relationships with the Club so we have to do that and sit down at
some point. We haven’t done it so far, but it’s certainly the plan to do that.”
Murray also believes Ashley wishes to engage
with the Rangers board despite the Englishman’s previous reluctance to do so:
with the Rangers board despite the Englishman’s previous reluctance to do so:
“Obviously he wants Sports Direct to be
successful and I think for it to be successful he wants the Club to be
successful and obviously that’s our objective so I think it could be a win-win
relationship in this going forward.”
successful and I think for it to be successful he wants the Club to be
successful and obviously that’s our objective so I think it could be a win-win
relationship in this going forward.”
Given Ashley’s reclusiveness and
contractual control over the Club trademarks, crest and directorships, it is
hard to see a meeting any time soon, never mind one which benefits Rangers.
contractual control over the Club trademarks, crest and directorships, it is
hard to see a meeting any time soon, never mind one which benefits Rangers.