Albion begin search for investment
Albion are refusing to rule anything out or in as they begin the hunt for new wealth to fund their Premier League ambitions.
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace's decision to go public with his appeal for fresh funding – effectively putting the club up for sale – followed a keynote board meeting at The Hawthorns yesterday.
Albion's majority shareholder is willing to consider everything from small scale investments to the sale of his 51 per cent stake in the club, in a bid to bring in the extra funding he believes is necessary for the club to survive in the Premier League.
Peace left for two days of business meetings in London after yesterday's Hawthorns sessions, at which manager Tony Mowbray and the board nailed down first-choice transfer targets.
He is hoping the fresh wave of publicity will trigger a response which will lead to new funds which can help Albion buy – either through a measured investment or, if the deal was right for the club in Peace's judgement, a sale of his majority shareholding.
Albion's value brought a series of sharply differing speculations today, with accountancy experts suggesting a figure in the region of £25m.
Sources close to the club, mindful of Albion's land assets opposite the ground and at the Walsall Road training camp as well as the £60m guaranteed in Premier League earnings over the next three years, suggest it could be double.
The financial rewards within Albion's reach now could get even bigger - if they are able to gain a Premier League foothold this season.
Experts predict that, with more than 200 nations across the globe wanting access to TV rights, the next media deal to be negotiated in 2009 could net the top flight £1billion a year.
Peace knows it is more vital than ever for Albion to stay in the top flight, which is why he is so anxious to lure any extra funding that might help manager Tony Mowbray's cause.
There has already been a measure of surprise at The Hawthorns that their highly acclaimed promotion to the big time did not trigger contact from would-be investors from overseas.
There is already speculation that today's announcement may bring fresh interest from Graeme Souness, who, backed by multi-millionaire Brian Kennedy, tried to buy Wolves 18 months ago.
Virgin boss Richard Branson is another who has repeatedly been linked to investing in football.