Aston Villa have been warned that plans to develop Villa Park could be indirectly hit by Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on imports from the UK.
The US President confirmed the action overnight, prompting one sports finance expert to predict the impact the move could have on top-flight clubs with American owners - including Villa.
One of Villa’s two owners, Wes Edens, is an American billionaire who is also co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise.
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Only this week, it was confirmed that his co-owner at Villa, Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris , had reacted to changes in the UK and world economies by changing his residency from London to Italy.
But Rob Wilson, a professor of applied sport finance at UCFB, suggests Trump’s action could have more direct implications for the likes of Villa, saying: “Imposing tariffs will likely have a significant ripple effect on American investment in the Premier League and the English Football League.
“In theory, tariffs primarily raise the cost of goods imported from the UK to the US, which could lead to increased operational costs for American stakeholders in English football.”
He told gaming website OLBG: “While tariffs could increase the costs of operating across borders, they are unlikely to halt American investment in English football outright.
“Instead, we may see a strategic recalibration where US investors seek ways to mitigate these additional costs, such as renegotiating broadcasting or sponsorship deals to maintain profitability.”
Villa are keen to increase the capacity of Villa Park and have tabled plans to redevelop the stadium, although other factors such as public transport around the ground are complicating matters.
Wilson says the jury is still out on the impact of tariffs on stadium plans, but adds: “The prospect of US-based owners reconsidering stadium redevelopment projects in light of financial uncertainty, including tariffs and broader economic shifts, is certainly plausible.
“These projects are typically long-term investments with significant up-front costs. If tariffs lead to an economic slowdown, either in the UK or globally, these owners may reconsider the timing of such projects or even look for ways to scale back on expenditures.
“Additionally, financial uncertainty might cause these owners to reassess other forms of capital allocation, focusing more on immediate operational stability rather than long-term infrastructural improvements.”
