theredshed wrote:
Does it make any sense for any club to own their own ground these days? Having read about the financial situation at Sale I doubt very much they would be in a position to make such a huge purchase like this. It stacks for the Council and Peel to build the stadium because:
1. They own the land.
2. The retail on the site would help fund the stadium cost.
A stadium isn't like a residential of commercial property that can be purchased as an investment and sold for a profit. Who would want to buy a stadium? It's an extremely limited market isn't it.
Why not buy the stadium? The joint venture company could make a profit and maybe still keep the retail units and inherent rents. Sale own the ground and can then use it for concerts etc.... they have a nice clean shiney new stadium to encourage union loving corporate hospitality.
I think the one thing which could go in our favour is that Sale coming onboard may make the 2nd and 3rd phase be built sooner rather than later.
I'd be ok with Sale being there as long as we are safe and the primary tenant. And the stadium was kept by the council as a community stadium.