Leeds United To Become Multi Sport Franchise Under Take Over Plans

With planning permission obtained for an ice skating rink in Elland Road, the prospect of Leeds United becoming a multi sport franchise, attractive to investors from the USA, has significantly increased. Americans are increasingly keen to get a foothold in the money spinning Premiership but are also enthusiastic about sports with an established appeal on the other side of the pond - so the idea of a football and ice hockey franchise under the name of Leeds United has particular appeal.

Sports analyst Lee Vittout explained how two and two is increasingly making four in terms of a take over saying: "The early rumours suggested an American bid but the problem is that Leeds are in the Championship and Americans aren't big on history when it comes to investments, all they look at is the future and the here and now. However, the possibility of a multi sport franchise enormously increases the chances of a buy out."

He continued: "Although the rink has a small spectator capacity, that wouldn't really matter because it's not about bums on seats but eyes in front of the television. The Leeds United brand could, perhaps, be used to trigger a boom in ice hockey in England, with an NHL team using Leeds as a nursery team for their youngsters. Indeed, it might well be that other American owned teams like Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa will form their own hockey teams too. Meanwhile, Leeds have a huge fan base around the world which the investor would seek to tap into for marketing and merchandising of the English based ice hockey team and the NHL team. It's what we call a symbiotic relationship and every one is a winner."

He added: "The great news for the fans of Leeds United FC is that success would depend upon getting the club back into the Premiership as soon as possible. Personally, I can see a great marketing campaign featuring high octane ice hockey hits, the real bone crunchers, interspersed with old footage of Hunter, Bremner, Giles and Charlton tackles, under a heading of 'Who winces first'!"

Asked whether Neil Warnock would figure in the investor's plans, Vittout said: "It's unlikely. They will want a big name. Perhaps Capello to appeal to the Italian Americans or O'Neill to appeal to Irish Americans."

Still Warnock could always be entered for Dancing on Ice!