Mike Ashley has accused Sports Direct shareholders of stabbing him and the company in the back over the shock departure of the firm's chairman. The company's founder and chief executive claimed that investors had been "hounding" Keith Hellawell, who quit unexpectedly ahead of the company's annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday.In what will be interpreted as a threat to take the company private again, Mr Ashley also argued that "true entrepreneurs will never be accepted in the public arena" and that the shareholders had "now made it extremely challenging for future engagement to take place".Mr Hellawell's retirement marked the end to a controversial nine-year tenure of the former West Yorkshire Police chief constable and government drugs tsar, who had previously faced criticism over allegations of "Victorian" working practices at the retailer's warehouses.His approach to corporate governance also came under fire and at last year's AGM he narrowly survived a re-election vote when … [Read more...] about Mike Ashley ‘stabbed in the back’ by Sports Direct investors
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Sports Direct’s Ashley says ‘stabbed in the back’ by shareholders
LONDON (Reuters) - Mike Ashley, the founder and majority owner of British sportswear retailer Sports Direct <SPD.L>, said he had been "stabbed in the back" by shareholders, warning that future engagement with them would be "extremely challenging". In a statement, issued to the London Stock Exchange, Ashley who owns 61 percent of Sports Direct's equity and is the firm's chief executive, criticised shareholders for failing to support the board. At Wednesday's annual shareholders meeting the re-election of Ashley was opposed by 9.78 percent of votes cast, while chairman Keith Hellawell stepped-down just ahead of the meeting. Their re-election had been opposed by three shareholder advisory groups. "The company's shareholders appear to be affected by the pressure of the media and certain other organisations, and they have failed to support Sports Direct, Keith and myself, on this journey," Ashley said. He added that it was "blatantly apparent that true entrepreneurs will never be … [Read more...] about Sports Direct’s Ashley says ‘stabbed in the back’ by shareholders
Ashley turns on shareholders after shambolic week for Sports Direct
News / UK and world by Press Association September 14, 2018, 12:55 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has launched a stunning assault on minority shareholders in the retailer, accusing them of stabbing him in the back over the departure of chairman Keith Hellawell. The tracksuit tycoon accused investors of “repeatedly hounding” Mr Hellawell, who quit Sports Direct on Wednesday following another shambolic annual meeting. Suggesting that he will reject future shareholder engagement, Mr Ashley said: “Despite the substantial progress made over the last few years, the shareholders have now made it extremely challenging for future engagement to take place. “On the one hand they are delighted with our performance and progress, yet with the other hand they have stabbed Sports Direct and myself in the back by repeatedly hounding Keith Hellawell.” The billionaire, who also owns … [Read more...] about Ashley turns on shareholders after shambolic week for Sports Direct
Jake Humphrey hails landmark day for Community Sport Foundation’s new hub, The Nest
Video PUBLISHED: 07:38 14 September 2018 | UPDATED: 07:38 14 September 2018 Jake Humphrey and Jackie Thornton at the launch of the Community Sports Foundation's new purpose-built venue, The Nest. Picture: Antony Kelly Archant Norfolk 2018 Norwich City fan and television presenter Jake Humphrey helped officially launch the Community Sports Foundation’s new state-of-the-art hub, The Nest. Mr Humphrey, who is one of the trustees of the football club’s official charity partner, was joined by first team player Louis Thompson, the Canaries’ sporting director Stuart Webber and a host of dignitaries on Thursday to mark phase one of a project that could eventually cost £9.4m in total.The Nest, based on the site of the old Anglian Windows headquarters near Norwich airport, will provide sporting opportunities for young and old, along with the chance to offer residential and respite care.Opening of phase one of The Nest. NCFC player Louis Thompson, Jake Humphrey … [Read more...] about Jake Humphrey hails landmark day for Community Sport Foundation’s new hub, The Nest
Detroit sports desperately need Steve Yzerman, not just Red Wings
Shawn Windsor Detroit Free Press Published 12:28 AM EDT Sep 14, 2018 Steve Yzerman is a man for our time. And a man for our city. You need him. The Detroit Red Wings need him. The Detroit sporting scene needs him. Desperately. News of his impending return to the place that made him tore through Hockeytown this week, sending Wings’ fans into near cardiac arrest, spawning a deluge of hopeful Twitter GIFs. This is understandable. Not just because the Wings haven’t contended for a Stanley Cup in almost a decade, but because the city’s professional sports landscape is as barren as the surface of Mars. Yzerman would bring water. He would bring life. Analysis: Why Red Wings will keep top prospects line for training camp He isn’t just the Captain. He’s a captain who set out on his own and became a general. And his announcement earlier this week that he was moving home couldn’t … [Read more...] about Detroit sports desperately need Steve Yzerman, not just Red Wings