Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley ‘in advanced talks to buy iconic stadium in £22m deal’
MIKE ASHLEY is reportedly in advanced talks to by Headingley Cricket Ground.
The iconic ground is believed to be up for sale as Yorkshire Cricket Club tries to guarantee its survival.
Yorkshire have had the stadium valued at £23million by a global real estate company.
The county cricket club bought the ground from Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company for a fee believed to be £12m in 2005.
Yorkshire has been dealing with financial issues since the loss of sponsors and costs from the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal of around £3.5m.
However, there has been some progress as former Newcastle United owner Ashley is thought to be closing in on a deal to buy Headingley.
According to The Telegraph, Ashley is in advanced talks over a purchase which will cost more then £22m.
The report claims that there is also interest from financial backers from the Indian Premier League and an “undisclosed overseas consortium”.
However, it is argued that Ashley’s Fraser Group is at “the most advanced stage”.
Ashley is believed to want the naming rights as part of a deal while some of his demands have been “turned down”.
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The report also suggests that Slazenger – one of the company’s brands – is a “prime candidate” for a rebrand of the iconic ground.
Headingley has played host to some special cricketing moments in recent times.
It is the same ground that saw Ben Stokes perform his heroics during the Ashes series in 2019.
The English cricketer somehow earned his side victory as he hit 135 not out despite the other batters losing their wickets around him.
And again earlier this year, it was the ground that Mark Wood and Chris Woakes steered England to victory over the Aussies in the Ashes.