DIC latest - the largely wild speculation thread

[Skillz]

One word answer, will DIC come out on top or Hicks?

Hicks is trying to repair his reputation, then he is gone, like a fart in the wind.

[Craig_H]

Tom Hicks may win battle over Liverpool

Mar 7 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

TOM HICKS was today edging closer to taking majority control of Liverpool.

DIC has indicated it may now be willing to take a 49% stake by buying out all but 1% of George Gillett's shares.

The remaining 1% could then be bought by Hicks, leaving him as the majority shareholder - a scenario one Anfield figure has described as "a potential nightmare".

It is believed DIC has not dropped its desire to buy the club outright in the future but for the time being may be ready to enter into a deal which would see Hicks investment increase.

The situation is further complicated by the fact Liverpool's current co-owners are speaking to DIC separately and even though Hicks is now believed to have indicated he will not block DIC in their bid to take a minority stake, the Dubai consortium would still have to convince Gillett to accept its offer.

Gillett is still to agree to sell though and having fallen out so dramatically with Hicks it remains questionable whether he would be willing to do any deal with him.

The Hicks camp remain insistent that although they are aware DIC has indicated a change of stance, they have not yet received any formal notification from them regarding this.

But the two parties could meet in Dubai next week.

The current situation will further dismay and confuse Liverpool fans who are seeing a complex deal for the future of their club being played out via the media on an almost hourly basis.

Paul Lunt, a litigation partner at Liverpool law firm Brabners who specialises in shareholders rights, said: "The impasse highlights the unattractiveness of being a minority shareholder.

"Tom Hicks and DIC have been in talks about the future ownership and control of Liverpool , and it seems both are willing to consider the possibility of some future role for the other.

"The sticking point seems to be the fact that neither party is willing to accept a role as a minority shareholder; each of them will only consider a controlling stake.

"This is not surprising. The strict rights of a shareholder holding less than 50% of the shares in a private limited company are generally fairly limited.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Javier Mascherano is a doubt for the game against Newcastle tomorrow having picked up a dead leg in the4-0 win over West Ham.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-20574190/

poop

They're gonna buy 49% off each of them, i tells ya!!!

[bobbyfallon]

If they only have 49% how can they stop Hicks doing what he wants regarding the stadium, transfers and loans?

americans as a race are stupid ****ers

DIC will have some form of a plan to displace hicks be it short term or long term.

[Lecter]

americans as a race are stupid ****ers

DIC will have some form of a plan to displace hicks be it short term or long term.

I just dont see it working and neither does anyone in the financial industry I have spoken with

Everyone seems to think its suicidal for DIC to take 49%

[JohnDoe]

If Hicks can't find the money to buy GG out, where is he going to find the money to build a new stadium?

Tick tock

[Jayesh87]

If they only have 49% how can they stop Hicks doing what he wants regarding the stadium, transfers and loans?

I didn't say they would stop him, just saying they would watch him **** it all up after doing things his way then buy him out once were in the ****ter

[Lecter]

If Hicks can't find the money to buy GG out, where is he going to find the money to build a new stadium?

Tick tock

Its a completely different scenario

The loan for the stadium is a guaranteed income stream which will become an assett over time, it could be also offset by naming rights

The loan for a stadium would be more favourably looked on than the loan they received last month imo

[Craig_H]

People, people, people...

They'll buy 49% off each and end up with 98% while Hicks goes yee-hawing into some ditch and Gillett gets back to razors.

[Rafa Shankly]

id have thought the first option deal was all or nothing,buy my 50% or **** off so i can sell to who i want.

id be amazed if hicks has the authority to buy what ever amount of shares that he wants to.

[Lecter]

I didn't say they would stop him, just saying they would watch him **** it all up after doing things his way then buy him out once were in the ****ter

Bit risky that though

I would expect any reasoning behind DIC buying 49% would be based on more than hoping he ****s it up, because essentially thats what it is

There are no guarantees Hicks will **** things up

DIC would want to control any situation and force Hicks into a corner as part of a strategy to take 100% control

[AFII]

IF DIC buy 49% then they must be very sure that the credit crunch will get even worse and that Hicks will be forced to sell.

[JohnDoe]

Its a completely different scenario

The loan for the stadium is a guaranteed income stream which will become an assett over time, it could be also offset by naming rights

The loan for a stadium would be more favourably looked on than the loan they received last month imo

I stand corrected, party pooper

[wishiwasascouser]

A bit of conspiracy going on in my head...

I was thinking that the main reason for Hicks to hold on to his stake and not getting in a role as a minority investor is the stadium. I think he would sell out if it wasen't for his partnership with HKS. As long as he is in charge he can make sure that they will keep the designing rights of the stadium.

Hicks knows that his investment will be secured onwards, and that he can sell for at least the amount Gillet will be able to. As a bonus he gets HKS to start the stadium, so that it gets past the point of no return, and DIC will have to carry it through when/if buying his stake. He might recieve some benefits from his friends at the HKS, and they will make huge sums on it as well...

I like this theory, Hicks spoke about the stadium and even said it was his "baby", and I'm sure the money involved for HKS makes it even better for him ,and his mates at HKS like you say.Also there is a "Hicks" involved with HKS, coincidence or not?

[Skillz]

They're gonna buy 49% off each of them, i tells ya!!!

Quite possible. Would not surprise me if one or both retains an interest in some form. If DIC get 98%, I could live with that

[cled the red]

I just dont see it working and neither does anyone in the financial industry I have spoken with

Everyone seems to think its suicidal for DIC to take 49%

Are we talking more smoke and mirrors here Lec - if (and I agree) that buying a 49% stake is suicidal, I can't see shrewd businessmen like DIC going for it. The whole story ain't out yet!!!