Manchester United announces plans for a new $2.5 billion stadium
After more than a century, Manchester United has decided it’s time for some new digs.
The British soccer team’s leadership on Tuesday announced the plans for a new stadium that could hold 100,000 spectators.
The move from the historic Old Trafford into this proposed stadium would be groundbreaking in several ways — aside from literally, since the new stadium will be built right next to the existing site.
Three things to know:
- With its proposed capacity, the new venue would surpass London’s Wembley Stadium as the biggest in the United Kingdom and would top Old Trafford’s capacity of just over 74,000.
- There is no plan to renovate Old Trafford, which at 115 years old has struggled with a leaky roof and rodent sightings among other issues, and is planned for demolition.
- Among the new bits and bobs will be a solar energy and rainwater harvesting roof and a unique trident structure visible for 25 miles. It’s estimated to cost more than $2.5 billion according to the organization’s CEO, and will take five years to build.
Listen to NPR’s State of the World podcast for a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday.
Troubling times for Manchester Utd
The stadium announcement comes days after fans of the soccer club took to the streets to protest club leadership’s choices both on and off the field.
The team has racked up more than a billion dollars in debt alongside performance issues, and its American owners, the Glazer family, have yet to share how they plan to fund it.
Dive deeper with NPR:
- For a clearer picture on the woes of Manchester United, check out this piece from NPR’s Lauren Frayer.
- Want just the right amount of economics sent to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to the Planet Money newsletter.
Breaking another presidential norm, Trump drops the f-bomb on camera
Presidents have been known to use salty language behind closed doors. But President Trump may be the first to very deliberately drop an f-bomb on camera.
Fired Justice Department lawyer accuses agency of planning to defy court orders
The accusations from a veteran government lawyer add to broader concern about the Trump administration's repeated clashes with the judiciary.
She hoped key research could help save her eyesight. Then the Trump funding cuts came
Jessica Chaikof says research into gene therapies could someday save her eyesight. But she worries cuts to federal research funding could mean that therapy won't be ready in time.
6 new books out this week, including true stories of trailblazers
But for many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a "summer read" should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.
Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S.
Sae Joon Park left for South Korea on Monday. His removal order was the result of drug possession and bail jumping charges from over 15 years ago — offenses that, he said, stemmed from untreated PTSD.
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz say health insurers will cut red tape on ‘prior authorizations’
In recent years, health insurers ramped up the practice of requiring doctors to get their approval before tests and procedures. On Monday, health leaders announced voluntary reforms from insurers.
