Rage Online

The simple answer is when Firoz is ready to sell and Merry is ready to buy, but what do we know of the factors influencing each of these elements?

Is it a matter of both wanting to do the deal but specific practical elements needing to be solved (eg Merry raising the funds, FK hanging on to get the Elton John cash or whatever) or are one or the other not keen to deal at the moment for other strategic reasons.

Is it the case that FK can turn a profit out of hanging on to the stadium, or is it more in his interests to offload it now or sometime soon? likewise are the benefits of security of ownership and/or extra revenue streams worth the sizeable outlay at this time that would be needed to buy, or is renting for a period a better option financially.

Presumably, even if the stadium transfers to the club there are still other issues that remain regarding the relationship between club and Ozone businesses, not least carparking I guess..

Can anyone on here provide some clarity to the situation??

I can't see why Kassam would want to hang on to the stadium company any longer than he has to. Its bound to be a major headache having to deal with a single tennant like OUFC. Any additional revenue from concerts etc can easily be factored into a deal.

As I've said elsewhere I think the most likely reason that the stadium wasn't sold with the club and has slipped from being a priority issue to a medium to long term issue is because WPL can't afford to buy it. That is completely reasonable and likely considering what it is going to cost compared to its security value. This is why Merry's business background/wealth and the identity of the other part of WPL have always been so important.

BTW - One other possible reason Kassam may have wanted to hold on to it is no longer a possibility. It may have been his plan (and even Merry's partner's plan) to put a casino in the 4th stand but now that OCC have refused to bid for a licence that possibility's been kicked into touch.