Investors always want a return.
However there is a big difference between short-term and long-term investments.
The latter are vastly more beneficial for a community, because the long-term success is shared in the maintenance of a stable environment.
It is in this regard that the Glazer's and ADUG are polar opposites.
The former is an American family, whom amongst other business interests, specialise in churning sports team for personal profit.
They invest enough for some sporting success, and are skilled in marketing and streamlining these ventures, in order to eventually squeeze out as much money as possible.
On the other hand, ADUG are empire builders.
Short-term profits are not insignificant to them, but they come secondary to their goal of providing a dynasty of financial security and international influence to the various royal families of the UAE and their citizens.
The UAE is very aware that they cannot rely on oil forever, indeed the fluctuating price of oil is presently proving unreliable.
Hence they are diversifying like crazy, and investing in soft-power.
They know they cannot compete in media with the film and music industries of the West, India or the Far East. Even Iran has a greater cultural influence than they ever will.
However they can invest in sport, and every possible sport imaginable.
And with that they buy themselves friends and influence in the West.
You might question if that is really true.
But it took Western governments a long time to convince its citizens to defend the oil-rich Kuwait from Iraq.
Today, even, it would be difficult to convince the populace to get behind a genuine war-effort in Ukraine.
However if, say, Iran attempted to invade Dubai tomorrow, would you and your friends need such convincing?
I think not.
Even if the reasons are only because your friends went on holiday last year and said how friendly everyone was; you enjoy their golf tournaments; they've invested so much in OUR local community.
As cynical as it sounds ADUG and the UAE are paying to be 'Western-European-like'.
If a fascist aggressor invaded Sicily, a democratic Britain would happily fight that war, because those Italian-islanders are our friends.
And now so too are the people of the UAE.
And if not, they soon will be x
Ulterior Motives: What the UAE Really Wants
posted on 19/12/14
Thanks to domestic FFP, it's looks like City are going to be the only English club to benefit from real UAE investment.
posted on 19/12/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/12/14
comment by Boris 'Inky' Gibson (U5901)
posted 45 seconds ago
Thanks to domestic FFP, it's looks like City are going to be the only English club to benefit from real UAE investment.
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Unless clubs take in to account the FFP sanctions in their long term planning. I'm not really 100% sure what the sanctions are, aside from transfer embargoes and fines, and those kinds of things can be planned around in the long term.
If it starts to include things such as points deductions that's when I think the investment will suffer.
Then you also have the 'real' long term - things such as the building of the City academy can't really be expected to start paying dividends for 3-5 years in terms of players. If owners are prepared to wait that long they could invest in the infrastructure.
It's more of a drip feed rather than pumping money in - but I think long term it has a similar effect.
posted on 19/12/14
The ADG group are interesting. What they really want is to show that they can build and develop things properly. A pal of mine bid to do some work in Masdar which is Abu Dhabi's zero carbon city. They have massive capital reserves but also set very high standards. He was bidding in distribution and logistics - the question he was asked was a person on the 50th floor of a tower block in Masdar orders ice cream and fresh flowers - how would you deliver them - with no carbon emissions? He got the business, but they are very exacting.
It's the same with City. They want to build the world's best football club. Build not buy - sorry Glazers. What I like most about them is the way they seem to have reacted to the shameful cartel building that is FFP. They seem to see it as an obstacle to be overcome, and are trying to do so with some determination. There is no doubt that they have been very good for Manchester and East Manchester in particular.
posted on 19/12/14
the question he was asked was a person on the 50th floor of a tower block in Masdar orders ice cream and fresh flowers - how would you deliver them
Catapults, fekin big catapults.
posted on 19/12/14
comment by Boris 'Inky' Gibson (U5901)
posted 18 minutes ago
the question he was asked was a person on the 50th floor of a tower block in Masdar orders ice cream and fresh flowers - how would you deliver them
Catapults, fekin big catapults.
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lol I think intact was implied in the question
posted on 19/12/14
''Catapults, fekin big catapults. ''
Preferrably, with you as the projectile!
posted on 19/12/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/12/14
So, you associate me with flowers and ice cream.
Sorry, flattered but spoken for.
posted on 20/12/14
he flies through the air with the grace