Sports Direct International (SDI) announced last month that an investment company owned by Mike Ashley sold shares amounting to about 2.75 percent of the group's issued share capital, at 720 pence per share. Ashley still holds about 55.14 percent of SDI's capital and has agreed not to sell any more ordinary shares for a period of 170 days from Jan. 20. Some British reports suggested that he may use proceeds from the sale, amounting to nearly £110.9 million (€147.0m-$166.5m), to increase his stake in Rangers FC, a football club in which he has been building up a stake of 9 percent (even though he already owns Newcastle FC). The sale came shortly after USC, a young fashion retailer owned by SDI, fell into administration – only to be snapped up by Republic, another of the group's interests. The Scottish Affairs Committee reportedly wants to launch an inquiry into the matter, which caused job losses at a distribution center in Dundonald, Ayrshire.

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