American businessman Henry Mauriss has made a £350million offer to buy Newcastle United and wants to take control before next season, sources have told MailOnline.
It is said that Mauriss is ready to move quickly but any deal would be dependent on the collapse of the Saudi-led takeover currently subject to the Premier League’s owners and directors test.
Mike Ashley agreed a £300m price with the Saudi consortium in April and it is not known why Mauriss has offered £50m more.
American businessman Henry Mauriss has made a stunning £350m bid for Newcastle United
Mauriss is the CEO of American company Clear TV Media, which reaches over 85m people
Newcastle supporters are sure to be sceptical of the claims and they remain hopeful that the Premier League will approve the Saudi deal.
Little is known about Mauriss’ worth but he is the current CEO of Clear TV, who provide broadcasting services for airports and hospitals.
He set up the company in 2014 having previously started his own credit card business – Credit America Coroporation – which he founded in 1998.
Sources insist the offer is genuine and that Mauriss is a viable buyer of a Premier League football club.
However, the timing of the offer is sure to raise eyebrows and is yet another twist in the never-ending saga that has become the proposed takeover of Newcastle.
Mike Ashley has never been closer to selling up at St James’ Park and looks set to leave his role
Newcastle return to Premier League action on Sunday against Sheffield United
Who is Henry Mauriss? A Tottenham fan inspired by John Henry’s success at Liverpool, why US media owner could have just as much impact as the Saudi bid
By HARRY SLAVIN
With protesting voices growing louder over the potential sale of Newcastle United to a Saudi-backed consortium, question marks have appeared over whether the deal will go through or not.
It still appears nearly certain that the Premier League will ratify the sale of the club by Mike Ashley to Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners group, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers for a total of £300million.
However, with some pressure being applied to the league and the UK government in a bid to have them fully scrutinise the potential consequences of allowing the Arab state a presence in the English game, others have sensed opportunity.
One American businessman is watching with a keen eye, waiting in the wings to strike should the current deal collapse. But who is Henry Mauriss? And just what can he bring to the North East? Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the man who could yet replace Ashley at St James’ Park.
The North East club are already the subject of a £300m bid from a Saudi-backed consortium
Amanda Staveley has fronted the current bid for the club, which is at an advanced stage
Who is Henry Mauriss?
From Burbank, California, Mauriss is an American businessman who has made his money through credit card and media enterprises.
He is currently the CEO of Clear TV Media, a company that provides broadcasting services for airports, hospitals and other areas outside of the home, reaching more than 85 million viewers.
He set up the company in 2014, having previously started his own credit card business – Credit America Coroporation – which he founded in 1998.
A big fan of Major League Baseball and reportedly a Tottenham fan, Mauriss looks to have the appetite for sport.
What is his worth?
According to reports, Mauriss is ready to better the offer currently on the table for the Magpies.
While Staveley et al have seen a bid of £300m accepted, Mauriss would be willing to meet Ashley’s original asking price of £350m.
While no word of his net worth is publicly available, nor a valuation on his current media company, he was responsible for purchasing, converting and reselling over $7billion via portfolio trades at Credit America.
While his net worth comes nowhere near that of the Saudi PIF, it is thought he could still implement the kind of change at St James’ Park envisaged by those currently in the driving seat to replace Ashley.
Mauriss is believed to have grand visions for Newcastle and could implement big changes
What is his vision for Newcastle?
According to those close to the Californian, Mauriss has been studying the model installed at Anfield by John W. Henry and The Fenway Group and is keen to deliver something similar on Tyneside given the chance.
A source close to him told the Mirror: ‘He has studied the way his fellow countrymen (Tom) Werner and Henry have successfully rejuvenated Liverpool and made them one of the world’s dominant forces.
‘There is the promise of significant investment not only in the squad but also the club’s academy. It’s a fantastic business plan.
‘The investor has seen the way Liverpool’s owners have harnessed themselves with the local community and made it a team effort with everyone pulling in the same direction.’
Mauriss wants to replicate the success enjoyed after John Henry’s takeover with Liverpool
Are there any controversies?
Certainly not from Mauriss’s side, although eyebrows have been raised over reports of how he came to be made aware of the opportunity.
The Mirror state that Chris Ronnie, a former associate of Ashley, is believed to have helped introduce Mauriss to the Newcastle owner and bring about the beginnings of discussions on a possible offer.
Ronnie, who ran JJB Sports for two years between 2007 and 2009, was jailed for fraud in 2014.
He is banned from acting as a company director due to his record, though, and so would not be available to take up any business-related role at the club.