Mike Ashley's sporting empire probed

Jan 31 2010 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

The documentary also shows Chris being offered three sample tops, which appear to be Mike Ashley’s Lonsdale brand. The manager tells him the shirt, excluding the cost of material and transport, costs around 25p to make and sells for £13.

Price tags can also be seen already attached to a sweatshirt boasting a 70% discount tag, before it has even left the factory.

A researcher for Inside Out also interviews a woman who works at another factory said to supply Sports Direct, who claims to share a factory dormitory with 38 other women.

She works from 8am to 8pm with an hour’s break, yet only received 50 Baht - around £1 - a day. The woman also alleges that work-related injuries are often only dealt with by taking painkillers and if a worker has to go to hospital because of an injury, he or she must meet the medical costs.

Last year Mike Ashley controversially announced plans to rename the club’s ground sportsdirect.com@St. James’ Park Stadium, but critics say shareholders may want to distance themselves from the sportswear label.

United fan Doug Miller, Northumbria University’s Chair of Ethical Fashion, said: “If we’re going to have a brand name in front of it then you want that brand to be a clean brand.”

Inside Out asked to speak to Mike Ashley but this was declined.

A spokesman for Sports Direct said Inside Out had made a number of claims and statements that were both inaccurate and misleading.

The spokesman said neither Sports Direct nor Mike Ashley would comment but they would be watching today’s programme closely.

Newcastle United also declined to comment.

V Mike Ashley Uncovered: an Inside Out Special, is on BBC1 in the North East tonight at 10.25pm.