As Famous for Beer as Shops, Billionaire Shakes Up Debenhams
- Ashley leads coup to oust Debenhams’ chairman, CEO from board
- Sports Direct chief also rescued House of Fraser last year
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Billionaire Mike Ashley, the U.K. sports-store owner whose thirst for beer matches his appetite for deals, is throwing his weight around in a bid to seize Britain’s retail crown.
The Sports Direct International Plc owner, 54, who infamously vomited into a bar fireplace after challenging a subordinate to a drinking contest, led shareholders in toppling Debenhams Plc’s chairman Thursday after the struggling department-store chain turned down a 40 million-pound ($51 million) loan he had offered.