PROPOSED BSKYB TAKEOVER OF MANCHESTER UNITED

Early day motion 266, tabled 2 February 1999 by Terry Lewis (Labour). Signed by 124 members.

That this House notes that BSkyB Television has made an offer to buy Manchester United Football Club plc; further notes that BSkyB Television currently holds the exclusive rights to live broadcasts of Premier League football matches and is likely to bid again for the broadcast rights when the current agreement expires; believes that the possibility of BSkyB Television as both a bidder for television rights to the Premier League and the owner of its most high-profile club is a matter of serious public interest and anxiety; is concerned that the BSkyB bid signals a trend whereby the interests of broadcasters take precedence over those of football clubs; warns that the deal will further concentrate wealth in the hands of an exclusive elite, thus threatening the survival of smaller football clubs and the wellbeing of the game at grassroots level; and, therefore, calls upon the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to recommend rejection of the BSkyB bid as a contribution to safeguarding the future of the national game.

Signatures by party: Labour 86, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 10, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Unknown 1.