Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is a prominent Qatari figure known for his major contributions to the fields of politics and business.
He is the son of former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned. Sheikh Jassim comes from a family of considerable influence, with 14 siblings, and he is married to Buthaina bint Hamad Al Thani, with whom he has eight children.
He has garnered significant attention and made headlines for his ambitious bid to acquire the renowned football club, Manchester United.
This move proves not only his passion for the beautiful game but also his prowess as a successful businessperson.
The lengthy takeover process at Manchester United has been ongoing since the Glazers’ announcement in November 2022, that they were exploring new investment opportunities for the club, be it in the form of a minority stake or a complete sale.
There appeared to be two most likely scenarios: the American family rejecting offers to sell the club but possibly selling some shares, or them accepting an offer from one of the frontrunners to take over the reins at Old Trafford.
The frontrunners were Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, with the former reportedly finalizing a $1.6 billion deal for a 25% share of the club, according to Mail Online.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is from Oldham, is already a well-known public figure. He is the billionaire CEO of the petrochemical giant INEOS and was recognized by Forbes as the 67th richest person in the world in 2023.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim is not that known, making his potential ownership of Manchester United all the more intriguing.
Back in August 2023, it was widely reported that the Glazer family had agreed to Sheikh Jassim’s £6 billion bid following months of talks about a takeover.
However, there have been no major updates since then, leaving the question of whether the Glazers are open to selling the club in doubt.
There are suggestions that the Americans might be having reservations about letting go of full control.
So, who is Sheikh Jassim?
Let’s dig deep into what we know about the possible new owner of Manchester United.
- Who is Sheikh Jassim?
- Who is Sheikh Jassim’s father?
- Is Sheikh Jassim a Man United fan?
- What is Sheikh Jassim’s net worth?
- How much did Sheikh Jassim bid for Man United?
- Interesting Facts About Sheikh Jassim
- Who is the richest soccer club owner in the world in 2023?
- Which is the richest soccer team in Spain?
- Which is the richest soccer team in France?
- Which is the richest soccer team in MLS?
- Which is the richest football club in the world?
- Who is the richest club owner in the Premier League?
- Who is the youngest club owner in the world?
- What is the Man City owner’s net worth in 2023?
- Which is the richest football club in Portugal?
- Which is the richest soccer team in Germany?
- Which is the richest football club in Nigeria?
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Who is Sheikh Jassim?
| Full Name | Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25 August 1978 |
| Age | 45 (as of Oct 2023) |
| Place of Birth | Doha, Qatar |
| Nationality | Qatari |
| Education | Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK |
| Parents | Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned |
| Siblings | 14 |
| Spouse | Buthaina bint Hamad Al Thani |
| Children | Eight |
| Profession | Politician, businessman |
| Net Worth | $1.2 billion |
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is a member of the Qatari royal family and serves as the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), which is the largest bank in Qatar.
Sheikh Jassim is the third son of the former Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his mother is Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, who was his father’s second wife.
After completing his education, he took on a role as a 2nd lieutenant in the Qatari armed forces on August 9, 1996.
On October 23, 1996, he was appointed as the heir apparent of Qatar, succeeding his older half-brother, Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani.
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However, Sheikh Jassim chose to relinquish his rights as heir apparent in favour of his younger brother, Sheikh Tamim, on August 5, 2003.
He communicated this decision in a letter to his father, where he stated that it was the right time to step down and prepare for a successor.
In the letter, Sheikh Jassim emphasized that “I did not want, as I have told you from the start, to be appointed as crown prince”, and noted he had only accepted the position in October 1996 because of “sensitive circumstances”
Throughout his life, Sheikh Jassim has held several important roles.
He served as the personal representative of the former Emir and has been the honorary president of the Qatar National Cancer Society (QNCS) since 1997.
He has also chaired the high committee for coordination and follow-up since 1999, the supreme council for the environment and natural resources since 2000, and has been the patron of Aspire Academy since 2003.
He is also a member of the Board of Trustees at Qatar Foundation. These various roles marked his major contributions and involvement in various aspects of Qatari society and institutions.
Born in 1982, Sheikh Jassim is believed to be a lifelong supporter of Manchester United. It is understood that his foundation, the Nine Two Foundation, takes its name from United’s iconic Class of ’92 squad, which was led by legendary players like Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
Who is Sheikh Jassim’s father?
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, a member of the ruling Al Thani Qatari royal family, served as the Emir of Qatar from 1995 until 2013 when he abdicated in favour of his son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He is commonly referred to as the Father Emir by the Qatari government.
Hamad came to power in 1995 through a bloodless palace coup d’état, taking over from his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.
During his 18-year rule, Qatar became the world’s richest country per capita, majorly due to its substantial natural gas production, which reached 77 million tonnes.
The average income in the country rose to $86,440 per person annually during his reign.
Throughout his leadership, Qatar hosted various major events, such as the 2006 Asian Games, the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, and agreements like the Doha Agreement and the Fatah-Hamas Doha Agreement.
It was also decided that the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be held in Qatar.
Hamad established the Qatar Investment Authority, which by 2013 had invested over $100 billion worldwide, with prominent investments in entities like The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Harrods, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Volkswagen, Siemens, and Royal Dutch Shell.
Hamad’s rule was characterized by a lack of opposition political parties, and he ruled Qatar without such support.
The country hosted two US military bases and maintained close relations with Iran.
Hamad also provided support and funding to rebel movements, particularly in Libya and Syria during the Arab Spring, while ensuring political stability at home.
He founded the news media group Al Jazeera and played a role in negotiations between the US and the Taliban.
Is Sheikh Jassim a Man United fan?
Yes!
There have been claims that Sheikh Jassim is a Manchester United fan, although it’s tough to confirm this information.
It’s said that he has supported the club since his childhood, attending several matches and even engaging in recreational five-a-side football while wearing a Manchester United jersey.
What’s particularly intriguing about his bid for the club is its connection to Manchester United’s rich history.
He established the Nine Two Foundation, a nod to the club’s famous ‘Class of 92,’ which included notable academy graduates like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville.
This group played a key role in an era of significant success for the club.
Officially, Nine Two UK Holdings Limited was registered as a UK company on June 15, with Sheikh Jassim listed as a director.
What is Sheikh Jassim’s net worth?
Est £7 billion
Sheikh Jassim’s actual net worth remains unknown, even though he has made a £5 billion bid to purchase Manchester United.
Forbes reports that his father’s net worth is up to £892 million, while the entire Qatari royal family is estimated to be worth around £265 billion according to The Sun.
Considering these figures, it is unlikely that Sheikh Jassim is richer than his father, Sheikh Hamad, or better off than the Emir of Qatar and the current head of the family, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whose estate is valued at £1.6 billion.
The current owner of Chelsea, Todd Boehly, is estimated to be worth £4.2 billion, Stan Kroenke, the owner of Arsenal, has a net worth of £10.23 billion, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who owns Manchester City, is reportedly worth £17 billion, and Newcastle’s recent acquisition is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which is reported to have up to £340 billion.
Despite Sheikh Jassim’s seemingly more modest financial standing compared to other richest club owners, his substantial £5 billion bid indicates that he has both the means and the enthusiasm to support the club in the future.
How much did Sheikh Jassim bid for Man United?
$7.5 billion
As per reports, on June 7, Sheikh Jassim presented a final bid to acquire Manchester United, offering more than $7.5 billion to the Glazer family.
This proposal was framed as a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer, and Sheikh Jassim made it clear that he would not entertain further negotiations beyond June 9.
Nevertheless, he stipulated that his bid would remain valid even after the deadline.
However, his bid has consistently aimed to secure 100 percent ownership of the club, which stands in contrast to the bid made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Their initial intention was to acquire a majority stake of approximately 69 percent, which was later adjusted to the current proposal for a quarter-share.
The decision to withdraw the bid was made on October 14, despite the offer exceeding the valuation of Manchester United on the New York Stock Exchange, which is approximately $3.5 billion.
An extra $1.5 billion was designated to improve the team and the football infrastructure at Old Trafford.
Sheikh Jassim also pledged to clear the club’s substantial debt, which had surpassed £1 billion for the first time in September.
Interesting Facts About Sheikh Jassim
- His father has given King Charles more than £2.6m in cash gifts over time
- He is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB)
- Studied at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, UK
- He was named after his grandfather
- He wants to kick Glazers out completely
- His Man Utd’s bid will be completely debt-free
- He is independent of the QIA which owns Paris Saint-Germain
- He is going against his father’s advice to invest in Manchester United
FAQs
Who is the richest soccer club owner in the world in 2023?
Sheikh Mansour.
He has a £17 billion wealth which he has spread out among his City Group investments at other football clubs like New York City FC and Melbourne City.
Which is the richest soccer team in Spain?
Real Madrid
The Spanish giant stands as the richest soccer team in Spain, with a net worth of $5.1 billion as of 2023.
What sets Real Madrid apart is its ownership and operation by its members, referred to as socials, who have been responsible for steering the club since its establishment.
Which is the richest soccer team in France?
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is considered the richest soccer team in France.
PSG has received significant investment from its Qatari owners and has been able to attract top players and establish itself as a dominant force in French football
Which is the richest soccer team in MLS?
LAFC
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is the richest soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS). In 2023, the most valuable team in the MLS was Los Angeles FC, worth around one billion U.S. dollars.
A year earlier, LAFC won the MLS Cup for the first time. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy ranked in second place, with a team value of around 925 million U.S. dollars.
Which is the richest football club in the world?
Real Madrid, with a net worth of $5.1 billion, claims the position of the wealthiest soccer team on a global scale.
The club further solidifies its financial supremacy with an annual revenue of $761 million.
Who is the richest club owner in the Premier League?
Sheikh Mansour
He has a £17 billion wealth which he has spread out among his City Group investments at other football clubs like New York City FC and Melbourne City.
Who is the youngest club owner in the world?
Mark Mateschtiz ($40.5bn)
He is worth a whopping £27.4 billion at the grand old age of 31, making him the youngest football club owner on our list.
Mateschtiz inherited stakes in RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls after his father Dietrich passed away in 2022 alongside part-ownership of the Red Bull Formula 1 team.
What is the Man City owner’s net worth in 2023?
Manchester City’s owner’s name is Sheikh Mansour. His net worth is $30 billion.
Which is the richest football club in Portugal?
Benfica ($300m)
SL Benfica is the richest football club in Portugal, with the highest market value as of February 2022, reaching a total worth of nearly 300 million U.S. dollars.
Which is the richest soccer team in Germany?
Bayern Munich
The market value of Bayern Munich was the highest at 804.5 million euros, followed by 560.25 million euros for Borussia Dortmund and 465.6 million euros for RB Leipzig.
Which is the richest football club in Nigeria?
Remo Stars
Remo Stars as of 2023 is the richest football club in Nigeria as they boast a high market value. The club owner Kunle Soname is alleged to have a market value of €1.50 million.
They play at the Gateway Stadium at Ikenne Remo which has a 20,000-seater capacity.
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