Sir Jim Ratcliffe has changed his approach to sports investments in recent years, focusing on various projects beyond Old Trafford.
Currently, Ratcliffe is trying to sell the French club OGC Nice, which he acquired in 2019. He has been looking for a buyer for almost two years.
The initial asking price was around £130 million, but it has dropped significantly due to low interest.
According to Romain Molina, via X, the price keeps decreasing over time.
Ratcliffe’s sports portfolio includes a solid presence in Formula One, where INEOS holds a notable minority stake in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and acts as Principal Partner.
In cycling, the INEOS Grenadiers team remains one of the top performers in the professional circuit.
INEOS also supports INEOS Britannia, a sailing team competing at high levels in the America’s Cup.
However, some partnerships have been reduced.
For instance, Tottenham Hotspur took legal action against INEOS after the company pulled out early from a sponsorship deal linked to its Grenadier vehicles, with Spurs seeking over £11 million in damages.
A sponsorship agreement with New Zealand Rugby’s All Blacks also ended amid legal issues and cost-cutting measures.
This suggests that Ratcliffe’s sports ventures are going through a period of change.
At Manchester United, Ratcliffe has focused on promoting financial discipline.
Changes have included layoffs, which some fans have criticized, but he has described them as essential.
Ratcliffe appears to want to step away from managing another top European club, and selling OGC Nice would help him avoid potential distractions from overseeing two football clubs.
A more streamlined investment strategy may enable him to concentrate on rebuilding Manchester United’s squad.
Yet, it raises questions about his willingness to make long-term investments.