04-20-2019, 06:47 AM
Twitter: the place media and the public alike turns for news and public sentiment. Its a reflection of what individuals, groups and brands deem important for those with interest. The respective Twitter accounts of the Tampa Buccaneers and Manchester United took different approaches Wednesday upon news of the passing of Malcolm Glazer, 85, owner of NFLs Bucs and patriarch of the Glazers takeover of United. A life celebrated by the Buccaneers, a life unacknowledged by United. @TBBuccaneers told a story of the loss of a beloved owner and friend, with condolences and heartfelt messages pouring in from across the NFL world. Pictures were shared of Glazer hoisting the Lombardi trophy among fitting tributes to a Super Bowl winner and highly regarded franchise owner. There was no mention of Glazers death on Manchester Uniteds Twitter account (@ManUtd). A brief, 75-word mention on Manutd.com was the depth of any tribute. No pictures of Premier League glory. No acknowledgement of what he and his family have done for the club. Silence, which speaks volumes. Instead of paying tribute to the life of Glazer, @ManUtd daily content featured a picture of Sri Lankas cricketers paying a visit to Old Trafford, and condolences of the passing of former player and 1958 FA Cup winner Stan Crowther. It was best for the club to ignore, rather than enrage. The worldwide reaction to Glazers death has brought back a groundswell of negative emotion. The story of the Glazers truly provides a cautionary tale; with ownership does not come entitlement. The Glazers remain controversial, disliked and untrustworthy even nine years after the familys leveraged takeover of Manchester United. Glazer Out and Love United, Hate Glazer remain the popular sentiments among the majority of Manchester Uniteds roughly 660 million supporters worldwide. Five Premier League titles and Champions League glory cannot wash away ill feelings. The issues are as much symbolic as they are fiscal and they run deep. Over £680 million has been spent paying down the debt on the club purchase of approximately £790 million in 2005. Malcolm didnt have the liquidity to purchase the team without incurring incredible debt. Manchester United was purchased on debt, taking the club from once financially secure and debt-free into a new era of massive debt payments and financial unknown. Current club debt sits at £351.7 million despite a growing number of brand partnerships and sponsors and unprecedented popularity. Debt remains a burden and central influence on club direction. Bankruptcy is not a realistic end game because Manchester United is far too lucrative. The brand itself thrives and continues to grow, with the Glazers squeezing as much revenue as possible from the logo. The brand is Teflon. Thats fine and part of business. Heres where its important to separate the brand from emotion. There is no personal relationship, nor overriding fandom as the driving force in the Glazers interest in United. There never has been. The Glazer ownership seems no more than a stale, unemotional business transaction. Buy, sell, grow, expand, its all about monetary growth. The very essence of the North American sporting culture, rendering a product thats popularity comes from a place of passion to becoming a series of business transactions and a moneymaker. Soulless. There is supposed to be something more substantial as motive towards ownership of a club like United than merely dollars and cents – a level of romanticism, a guardianship from a place of genuine affection. Malcolm never stepped foot in Old Trafford, a stroke in 2006 contributed to the detachment. Sons Avram and Joel are co-chairmen and are heavily involved in the operation of the club. Three of Malcolms other children owning stake have rarely, if ever been seen. Sadly, these individuals will play decisive roles in what happens at United next. Although Malcolm never had anything to do with the day-to-day operation, hell forever been synonymous with the controversial takeover of United. After failing in his attempt to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers over a decade ago, Glazer turned his attention to Old Trafford. Glazer began buying up smaller portfolios of ownership, setting himself up to take advantage of the dispute between manager Sir Alex Ferguson with United shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier over the stud rights of racehorse Rock of Gibraltar. Glazer bought McManus/Magniers shares in 2005, taking control of almost 75 percent of club shares and allowing him to strong-arm the board and remaining shareholders on his way to complete control. Many hands were dirty putting Malcolm on the fast track to ownership, inside and outside of the club. The Premier League stood idle as Manchester United supporters made their disapproving voices heard. League overseers have remained absent in the fight. Those who the team is supposed to represent are true victims of this power play. Florida Panthers Jerseys . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. Evgenii Dadonov Jersey .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. http://www.hockeypanthersofficialonline.com/customized/. -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. Vincent Trocheck Jersey . Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. Aleksander Barkov Jersey . - Aroldis Chapman, with two black eyes, has returned to the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse four days after being hit in the face by a line drive.BOSTON -- The Bruins took advantage of the struggling Florida Panthers while missing out on a chance to face their former Stanley Cup hero, goalie Tim Thomas. Tuukka Rask made 23 saves and Boston got goals from four players to hand the Florida Panthers their seventh straight loss, 4-1 on Thursday night. Rask improved to 9-1 against Florida in helping Boston win for the third time in its last seven home games. The Bruins have won five straight and seven of their last eight against the Panthers. Florida has lost 10 of its past 11 games and is on its longest skid (0-3-4) since a 10-game slide in April 2011. "Its embarrassing," Panthers forward Shawn Matthias said. "I cant remember the last time we won. There are no positives right now." Thomas is out with a lower body injury, but received a rousing ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron midway through the third period. He played for the Bruins from 2002-12, leading Boston to the Stanley Cup title in 2011 and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the post-seasons most valuable player. Thomas lost to Boston 3-2 in Florida last month, but has yet to oppose the Bruins at the TD Garden at any point in his career. David Krejci gave Boston a 1-0 lead when his shot from the blue line beat Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen at 7:17 of the second period. Brad Marchand had the winner on a wrist shot 4:09 into the third period, snapping a 12-game drought without a goal for Boston. "Nice to finally get one," Marchand said. "I forgot what it feelt like, but nice to get the monkey off my back.dddddddddddd Its frustrating because you want to contribute." Torey Krug gave Boston a 3-0 lead when he wristed home Chris Kellys pass at 8:57 of the third for his sixth goal of the season. "We seemed to get better as the game wore on," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "The third was definitely our best period. Sometimes when your team is struggling it is better to not say anything and just let the players work their way out of it." Boston was 1-3-1 in its last five and hosts division rival Toronto on Saturday in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Jesse Winchester cut Bostons lead to 3-1 with 5:35 remaining when he batted Nick Bjugstads shot past Rask. "We have spells we drop off during the game," Panthers defenceman Brian Campbell said. "Its not fun. Im not going to say we are having a good time. Its unacceptable." Reilly Smith capped the scoring for the Bruins at 18:13 of the third with an unassisted goal. Clemmensen made 26 saves for Florida in his second start this season. NOTES: Floridas only road victory this season came against Dallas on opening night. ... Boston has outscored Florida 19-2 over the last four home games and Marchand has notched nine points. ... Florida began the night tied with Buffalo for allowing most goals in the Eastern Conference with 53. ... Winchester flattened Kelly with an elbow to the face five minutes into the game causing him to briefly leave the game. ' ' '