Mike Ashley feels the force of Star Wars fans
Confusing Obi-Wan Kenobi with Darth Vadar leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to the Dark Side - of Twitter
Mike Ashley raised quite a few eyebrows yesterday after comparing himself to a Star Wars character while testifying in the High Court in London.
"I am not Obi Wan Kenobi controlling the Death Star, let's be clear," the Sports Direct founder said, discussing his influence on the sportswear firm.
Obviously, Ashley is "not a Star Wars geek", says the BBC, which points out: "Obi Wan Kenobi has also denied controlling the Death Star - that was Darth Vader's department."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The businessman's faux pas also earned him a roasting from fans of the sci-fi saga on Twitter.
Steve Matthewson, London chief for S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the "annihilation of the Star Wars story" might actually be worse than revelations of Ashley's "bizarre business practices".
Ashley is accused of reneging on an alleged deal made in a pub to pay a former colleague, Jeff Blue, £15m if he oversaw a substantial rise in the share price. He denies the claim and argues the former investment banker is trying to exhort money.
Boozy sessions at the pub were not formal meetings, he said, and any conversation during the evening would have been "banter", reports The Guardian.
"If I did say to Mr Blue that I would pay him £15m… it would be obvious to everyone, including Mr Blue, that I wasn't being serious," he said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 benefits first-time homebuyers should know about
The explainer Home prices are dropping and this fall is looking particularly buyer-friendly
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
More women opted for sterilization after Roe was overturned
Under the radar New research shows that the trend is especially high in states where abortion was banned
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: September 13, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Frasers Group: keeping it in the family
Under the Radar Mike Ashley is passing the reins of his high street empire to his prospective son-in-law
By The Week Staff Published
-
Are Nike and Adidas too dominant?
Speed Read Mike Ashley calls for investigation into sportswear giants' supremacy
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Debenhams set for administration after rejecting Sports Direct offer
Speed Read Retailer’s biggest shareholder, Mike Ashley, embroiled in bitter battle for control with its board
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
House of Fraser cancels all online orders and goes offline
In Depth Retailer acts on complaints as dispute with warehouse operator holds up deliveries
By The Week Staff Published
-
HMV saved from closure by £50m rescue deal with Hilco
Speed Read Plan to save stricken music chain, backed by entertainment industry, could save 2,500 jobs
By The Week Staff Published