Pender's Blog

Blog archive

Gates To Buy Soccer Club?

Here at RCPU, we realize that most of our readers probably don't share your editor's passion for European "football," but trust us, this could end up being a huge amount of fun. Apparently, Bill Gates -- whose net worth seems to be dramatically underestimated in the linked article (surely we're talking billions and not millions) -- is thinking about buying Newcastle Football Club in England.

Long story short, Newcastle has a passionate fan base with Yankees-like expectations...but the club has more of a Cubs-like record historically. Current owner and Londoner -- that's kind of like a Yankees fan owning the Red Sox -- Mike Ashley is putting the club up for sale after just 16 months of ownership in part because he and his family can't safely attend games. The fans are quite literally revolting after the departure of popular manager Kevin Keegan, for which the fans blame Ashley.

And Gates thought the Macworld crowd back in '97 was tough...

Posted by Lee Pender on September 16, 2008


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.