Celebrity Traitors star Jerry Hall's former husband, media magnate Rupert Murdoch, once attempted to buy Manchester United for £623 million, a move that could have dramatically altered the club's trajectory.
Jerry Hall's Celebrity Traitors Appearance
Hall, 69, is set to appear on the second season of the BBC series Celebrity Traitors, joining other A-listers in the Scottish Highlands for a game of deception, with a prize of up to £100,000 for charity. The former supermodel and star of the 1989 Batman film has four children with Mick Jagger and married Murdoch in 2016. The billionaire allegedly ended their relationship via email in 2022, with their divorce finalized that year.
Murdoch's £623m Bid for Manchester United
Murdoch's News Corp, owner of News UK (The Sun, talkSPORT, The Times) and formerly Sky UK, nearly acquired Manchester United in 1998. At the start of the 1998/99 season, news of the Australian media mogul's interest sent shockwaves through football. Murdoch had revolutionized football TV coverage in the early Premier League years, transforming the sport into a commercial powerhouse. Manchester United benefited, becoming a global brand with a TV channel and retail outlets across Asia.
In July 1998, BSkyB chief executive Mark Booth invited United's chief executive Martin Edwards and club lawyer Maurice Watkins to a London lunch, revealing BSkyB's intent to buy the club. Manager Alex Ferguson was reportedly out of the loop initially, clashing with chairman Edwards over the previous season and his contract. Ferguson even considered forming a consortium to buy the club himself or seeking management jobs elsewhere.
United accepted BSkyB's £623m bid, but the news sparked widespread fan backlash. The deal required UK government approval, leading to the formation of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust. Fans were further angered when a Daily Mirror reporter, at editor Piers Morgan's request, asked Booth to name United's left-back in a press conference; Booth could not answer.
Fan Protests and Government Intervention
Fans of other clubs also feared Murdoch's takeover would give United a competitive advantage. Protests occurred inside and outside Old Trafford before a match against Charlton in September 1998. Around 1,000 fans attended a meeting at Bridgewater Hall before a Champions League draw with Barcelona. Opposition grew, involving Prime Minister Tony Blair. The takeover was referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in October 1998.
On the eve of the famous FA Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, a government report of over 250 pages concluded that the bid should be blocked. BSkyB was reportedly angry and frustrated, while fans celebrated. Five years later, the Glazer family began their ownership by buying a 2.9% stake in the club.
