ITV to sell shareholdings in Liverpool and Arsenal

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 09-Jan-06, 11:00

LONDON - ITV is reported to be ready to sell its interests in leading football clubs Liverpool and Arsenal.

The near 10% stakes in each club are the remnant of Granada's late 1990s strategy of bolstering its football rights negotiating position. BSkyB also took stakes in Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland, eventually selling them in 2004.

The Mail on Sunday's report echoes speculation this time last year that ITV was set to sell. However, it would make a big loss on the Arsenal stake, which cost about £50m but it believed to be worth only £15m today.

It paid £22m for its Liverpool shareholding, but because the club is privately owned the current value is hard to determine.

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