Chukotka Autonomous District Governor Roman Abramovich attends the news conference to announce YUKOS and Sibneft oil companies merger.
Photo: Sergey Mikheev
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What They Bought For, What They Sold For
On August 20, 2003, the British Guardian newspaper reported that Roman Abramovich was negotiating for the purchase of the Formula-1 Jordan team. Club owner Eddie Jordan refused to be interviewed by the paper but commented that he had not met with Roman Abramovich personally and added, “I will not answer questions about Abramovich because, if I did, I might have to lie to you.”
On August 23, 2003, the British tabloid The Sun reported that Abramovich was preparing to buy the Formula-1 Minardi team. It said that Abramovich had held preliminary negotiations with the Australian team owner, Paul Stoddard, at which time he was “charmed” by the Russian and even allowed his small son to sit behind the wheel of one of his race cars. The value suggested for the deal was $75 million.
On September 25, 2003, the Calgary Sun and Edmonton Sun reported that Abramovich was negotiating with the owners of several National Hockey League teams. The teams in Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Anaheim were mentioned as being among his possible acquisitions. The article also said that Abramovich intended to outfit the hockey team with Russian players and take the transplanted Russian team to victory at the Stanley Cup.
On March 21, 2004, the British tabloid The Sunday Express reported that Abramovich bought a mansion in the Knightsbridge section of London from Formula-1 owner Bernie Ecklestone for £70 million ($126.5 million). The paper went on to say that Abramovich is the owner of the Fyning Hill estate in Sussex, which he bought for £12 million ($21.7 million), and apartments on Loundes Square in London, which cost $pound;5 million ($9 million).
On April 24, 2004, The Press of New Zealand published an interview with jazz singer Shirley Bassey, who said that Abramovich's “new and ugly” yacht, anchored in Monte Carlo, spoils the view from her house. The boat in question, Le Grand Bleu, cost $60 million and has two helipads and an enormous aquarium.
On May 13, 2004, the British Financial Times reported that Abramovich ordered the yacht Ecstasea built for him in The Netherlands. The cost of the yacht was not specified. On May 17, however, Lloyd's List indicated that the yacht cost £72 million ($130 million) and that Abramovich's personal fleet consists of three vessels, worth £207; million ($373.7 million) in addition to it.
On May 25, 2004, The Times of London reported that Abramovich bought a new airplane, a custom-made Boeing 767 with security and communications systems on the level of those aboard Air Force One, The US presidential aircraft, for £560 million ($1 billion). The plane, according to the paper, was equipped with several bathrooms, plasma television and mahogany and gold fittings. The following day, the paper published a correction: Abramovich paid £56 million for the plane. Sibneft representative John Mann said that the Times article “strongly exaggerated,” but refused to provide more accurate information.
All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 19, 2004
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