Much has been said about Rangers dealings with Sports direct, but what is the truth?
Rangers fans and supporters groups alike have boycotted retail stores at Ibrox in their thousands. A series of loans from Ashley and rumours that Rangers receive only pennies for every shirt sale have led to fans turning their back on official merchandise. Adding to this the “Lionbrand” shirt, a supporters club initiative, has spread across Ibrox and does not look like stopping following the launch of a new pink and black shirt this week. It is not to say that this isn’t a great idea, thousands of fans have been rightly supportive but there is a further problem that needs addressing. Without trying to sound like an advocate of the shirts, they are for a cause that all Rangers fans should hold dear.
The plain truth is that Rangers fans want Mike Ashley out. The boycott is an attempt to strip Ashley of any profit he can bleed out of the Ibrox coffers. What Rangers fans forget is that Mike Ashley is a very, very wealthy man. If he chooses to sit on his Ibrox perch then so be it – any loss on Rangers is a drop in the ocean to a man of his wealth.
Dave King has promised to analyse the deal with Sports Direct after it was revealed that they own 75% of the retail operations at Ibrox.
The problem for Rangers is twofold. Primarily, Regardless of the great work by supporters groups some fans will still buy shirts. Crucially, Rangers operate at economical loss if stores do not sell retail. The business model provides that Rangers have to buy stock from SD regardless of whether or not it is sold from the shelves of Rangers retail outlets. So for every shirt sold, Rangers receive a small income, yet for every shirt left on the shelf, Rangers lose money. It’s a vicious combination for the directors to contend with.
Arguably the boycott should not change or be stopped, and Dave King is right to question the deal that sees Rangers being walked all over, but the fans must do what is best for the club. Fighting fire with fire against a bitterly wealthy man is a losing battle that might not win the war.
