Chris Nathaniel- Rio Ferdinand’s Business Partner In Coventry
10.2.2010
By Ross Waters
COVENTRY University students were gathered in the Ellen Terry building today listening to England captain Rio Ferdinand’s business partner Chris Nathaniel discuss everything from Rio’s recent appointment as captain to the future of football.
With the recent appointment as captain of his country, Nathaniel said that Rio Ferdinand was “delighted and proud” to become England captain with the World Cup in June
Nathaniel, as well as being involved with England centre-half Rio Ferdinand, is the agent of Brazilian playmaker Robinho, who recently returned to his homeland with Santos. Nathaniel commented on the Samba star’s future, saying that “We hope” Robinho may well return to the Premier League after the World Cup.
Aside from the names of the sport, Chris discussed football finance and how footballers are paid such a vast amount of money. With recent wages sky-rocketing, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent transfer to Real Madrid seen the winger pick up a reported £200,000 per week deal, Nathaniel simply stated that players are being “paid to their market value” and “ if you’re worth £200,000 per week, you won’t say no”. However, he does agree thats some clubs, like Portsmouth’s business model “doesn’t make business sense”.
As an enterpriser, Nathaniel gave advice to the students in the lecture hall, saying you must “have focus, never give up, know what your business does” and to “go out and get it”.
