The Tangerines’ owner talked about his tenure at Tannadice with the Athletic, an online sports journal.
Mark Ogren hopes the San Francisco 49ers-linked ownership of Rangers will benefit Scottish football.
And Dundee United’s American owner has highlighted two ways he thinks the Tangerines could gain.
The purchase of a controlling interest in the Gers by an American consortium affiliated to the investment arm of NFL heavyweights the 49ers brings the total number of US-owned Scottish clubs to seven.
The Ibrox club has followed United, Dundee, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Hibs, and Livingston in having a chairman from ‘over the pond’, with Aberdeen being owned by a Scot domiciled in the United States.
During a conversation about his experiences as Tannadice owner, Ogren expressed his hopes for how the Rangers buyout will affect the Scottish game.
“I’m hoping the 49ers being involved is going to increase the exposure,” he said.
“But there is definitely scope to increase the revenue. The TV deal is a big thing, but also the culture. The alcohol situation continues to bother me.”
Ogren has talked on several occasions about his idea that supporters should be able to purchase alcoholic beverages during games.
Adam Webb, St Johnstone’s American owner, shared his United counterpart’s concerns.
And nothing has changed Ogren’s mind on what is already a standard element of the matchday experience in the United States and England.
“It’s absurd,” said Ogren. “It’s a touchy subject, but it is part of the entertainment value for people who come to matches, and they should be able to buy a beer.”
The United owner also acknowledged the importance to his club of qualifying for Europe, which they did last season for the second time under his ownership.
“Celtic and Rangers are in a different financial class than all of us, quite frankly, but there’s still three European spots in most years that are available. The ramifications of getting into Europe can be really big.”
