Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool owners eat together in swanky restaurant just days before Premier League rights vote

CHIEFS from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool had dinner together in New York just days before a crucial vote on Premier League TV rights.

Despite being fierce Premier League rivals, Arsenal’s Ivan Gazidis, Liverpool chief John Henry, Manchester United’s Ed Woodward, Joel and Avram Glazer were all present for the pricey meal in the Big Apple.

AP:Associated Press

A photo has emerged online, reportedly taken by an Arsenal fan, of the collection of owners from rival clubs sitting together over the dinner at Locanda Verde in Tribeca.

But the three clubs mentioned represent only half of the ‘big six’ – who were determined to renegotiate the Premier League television rights to make them more beneficial to clubs finishing higher in the table

A recent vote by the 20 top flight clubs ruled in favour of maintaining the current structure of funding for clubs that distributes overseas TV money more evenly.

While United, Arsenal and Liverpool all have American owners, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham do not – which may explain why they weren’t in New York.

AFP

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The up-market restaurant in the city’s Tribeca district is a typical New York eatery and according to the Mail, the photograph of them eating together was taken seven days before the second meeting of clubs ahead of their vote on TV rights.

Manchester United have strong ties to the Big Apple, given the club trade on the New York Stock Exchange after floating in 2015, and shares are currently worth about £13.94.

But fans could not help but wonder why these three clubs’ owners were dining together, what the topic of conversation was.

And who picked up the bill.

PA:Empics Sport

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