06 Jan 2015 07:10:38
statement at 7am, I think its worth posting in its full version

Further to statement issued by Rangers Int. Football Club Plc ("RIFC") on 5 January 2015, Robert Sarver, the US financier and majority owner of the National Basketball Association franchise Phoenix Suns, confirms that he has made an approach to the Board of RIFC with a view to explore the possibility of purchasing the entire issued share capital of the company. Mr Sarver also notes the deadline of 5. 00 p. m. , 2 February 2015 in accordance with Rule 2. 6 (a) of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Takeover Code"). Nothing in this announcement constitutes an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer in accordance with Rule 2. 7 of the Takeover Code. There can be no certainty that an offer will be made nor as to the terms on which any offer might be made.



Mr Sarver revealed that it was conversation with former Rangers player, Davie Robertson, now a successful youth football director in Phoenix, Arizona, which first sparked his interest in the club.



Speaking from Arizona, Mr Sarver said: "My three sons all play soccer, as we call it here in the US, for Davie's club.



"Initially, I'd had some of my advisors examining potential investments in teams in the English Premier League and in Spain, but Davie encouraged me to take a close look at Rangers.



"Like all Rangers fans, he's really upset about how far the club has fallen in recent years and the more we spoke, the more interested I became.



"I'd be the first to admit that I'm not a lifelong Rangers supporter, but anyone who knows me is aware that I'm a genuine sports fanatic and owning two major basketball franchises for the past decade has been an enormous privilege.



"I've spent the vast majority of my career in public companies and I'm used to working in very highly regulated environments. I understand the crucial importance of business integrity and transparency.



"Rangers fans have every right to be wary about someone showing an interest in the club they love, especially given some of the events of recent years.



"First and foremost I believe what the club needs today is a very quick, major injection of capital to stabilise things and I can give the Rangers supporters a categorical assurance that I have the resources and ability to get this club back to its elite level.



"I'm looking forward to building a consensus amongst supporters and prominent Rangers-minded figures who have the long-term success of the club at heart.



"I've had detailed research carried out on Rangers and I'm convinced that we could take it back to the top of the Scottish game on a stable and sustainable basis. "



Mr Sarver is a highly-respected CEO of New York Stock Exchange-listed Western Alliance Bancorporation, a $10 billion dollar bank holding company, and also sits on the board of directors of two other major publicly-listed US companies, Meritage Homes and Skywest Airlines.



He has already provided proof of funds to the Rangers board.



A high-profile figure in US sports, he purchased a majority ownership in the Phoenix Suns basketball franchise in 2004. During Mr Sarver's tenure the team boasts the fourth-best winning record in the NBA. Women's basketball is also big in the US and, under Mr Sarver's ownership, Phoenix Mercury has won three WNBA titles.



Former Rangers Football Club player, Davie Robertson, said: "I've known Robert for several years. He has been very supportive of our local club and has a very good reputation in the US.



"When he said he was looking to invest in football in Europe, I told him right away that Rangers could really be doing with someone with his track record. I explained how far the club has fallen, but that there was huge potential to rebuild it. "



Mr Robertson, who played 245 times for Rangers over six seasons and was part of the side which won nine-in-a-row, continued: "Even though I'm now based over here, I always watch really closely how things are going at Ibrox and it's tragic to see how a club which was once a force in Europe has been brought so low.



"I can tell every Rangers fan in Scotland and abroad, if Robert Sarver is successful in becoming part of the club, he'll not rest until they are back on top again. "



- Ends -

JG

1.) 06 Jan 2015
He comes over very well and D Robertson vouching is a big plus. clearly the knockback from the person board also backs him up as genuine were he a crook linked to AShley they would have accepted or encouraged his interest. It has never been cl;earer that the board are dancing to Ashley's tune havoing now turned down 16million and 18million thry are only interested in self preservation and at the possible cost to our club.

Total boycott until removed is the only course of action unless the King/Bears team can oust them

Sick of the criminal element trying to cling to the cash cow they see our team and fans as

redsox555

2.) 06 Jan 2015
So the Americans offer to gain a controlling interest did not match the valuation of the club. excuse me-Green got it for a hell of a lot less than the offer.

3.) 07 Jan 2015
07 Jan 2015 14:15:18
"Rangers fan" my ar$e! Yet another pretentious suitor whose only semblance of credibility could as an Ashley stooge. The battle is joined .!