"Everything they do for the franchise is to support the operators of it, the employees," Allen said.
A native of Rochester, New York, Glazer began working for his family's watch-part business when he was 8 and took over the operation as a young teenager when his father died in 1943. He steadily built his wealth through investing in mobile-home parks, restaurants, food service equipment, marine protein, broadcasting, real estate, natural gas and oil protection and other ventures.
Glazer has not gotten everything he's aimed to get. Two years ago, he failed in a bid to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball team from Rupert Murdoch. Harley-Davidson and Formica Corp were two other companies he looked at acquiring.
Forbes Magazine cited his net worth as US$1 billion (790 million euros), placing him 278th on the publication's 400 Richest In America list in 2004.
The value of the Bucs has soared to nearly US$800 million (633 million euros) under the guidance of his sons, who are expected to remain involved in the daily operation of the NFL team.
"That won't change. They love this team," said Allen, who added that there are no plans to sell the Bucs to help finance the takeover of Manchester United.
"The economics, when you read these things, are big. Even for us who deal with expensive players every now and then. But as Forbes Magazine will tell you, this is one of the successful business families in our country."
When Glazer paid ?790.3 million (US$1.47 billion; 1.16 billion euros) to take control of Manchester United on Monday, Allen was not surprised.
"In order to afford it, it proves you haven't failed at a lot of things," Allen said. "They are very determined. They have an excellent vision for where they want to take everything for the next 10 or 15 years."



