Editing Manchester United F.C. (section)

==Global brand==
Manchester United has been described as a global brand; a 2011 report by Brand Finance, valued the club's trademarks and associated intellectual property at £412&nbsp;million – an increase of £39&nbsp;million on the previous year, valuing it at £11&nbsp;million more than the second best brand, Real Madrid – and gave the brand a strength rating of AAA (Extremely Strong).<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 30 Football Club Brands |url=http://www.brandfinance.com/images/upload/top_30_european_football_brands_2011_final_website.pdf |publisher=Brand Finance |access-date=4 October 2011 |date=September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227144940/http://www.brandfinance.com/images/upload/top_30_european_football_brands_2011_final_website.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2012, Manchester United was ranked first by ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine in its list of the ten most valuable sports team brands, valuing the Manchester United brand at $2.23&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manchester United Tops The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/07/16/manchester-united-tops-the-worlds-50-most-valuable-sports-teams/ |work=Forbes |date=16 July 2012 |access-date=16 July 2012 |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen |archive-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716112318/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/07/16/manchester-united-tops-the-worlds-50-most-valuable-sports-teams/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The club is ranked third in the [[Deloitte Football Money League]] (behind Real Madrid and Barcelona).<ref name="Deloitte_money_league">{{cite news |title=Real Madrid becomes the first sports team in the world to generate €400m in revenues as it tops Deloitte Football Money League |url=http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/industries/sportsbusinessgroup/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614035034/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/industries/sportsbusinessgroup/d039400401a17210VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm |work=Deloitte |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010 |archive-date=14 June 2011 }}</ref> In January 2013, the club became the first sports team in the world to be valued at $3&nbsp;billion.<ref name="bstonfrbs"/> ''Forbes'' magazine valued the club at $3.3&nbsp;billion – $1.2&nbsp;billion higher than the next most valuable sports team.<ref name="bstonfrbs">{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Ozanian |title=Manchester United Becomes First Team Valued At $3 Billion |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/01/27/manchester-united-becomes-first-team-valued-at-3-billion/ |work=Forbes |date=27 January 2013 |access-date=29 January 2013 |archive-date=29 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129210449/http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2013/01/27/manchester-united-becomes-first-team-valued-at-3-billion/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They were overtaken by Real Madrid for the next four years, but Manchester United returned to the top of the ''Forbes'' list in June 2017, with a valuation of $3.689&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mike |last=Ozanian |title=The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2017 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2017/06/06/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2017/ |work=Forbes |date=6 June 2017 |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003032352/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2017/06/06/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 ManU Karakas.jpg|thumb|left|An official partner of the club, [[Turkish Airlines]], in Manchester United livery]]
The core strength of Manchester United's global brand is often attributed to Matt Busby's rebuilding of the team and subsequent success following the Munich air disaster, which drew worldwide acclaim.<ref name="barnes_52"/> The "iconic" team included Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles (members of England's World Cup winning team), Denis Law and George Best. The attacking style of play adopted by this team (in contrast to the defensive-minded "[[catenaccio]]" approach favoured by the leading Italian teams of the era) "captured the imagination of the English footballing public".<ref name="hamil_116">Hamil (2008), p. 116.</ref> Busby's team also became associated with the liberalisation of Western society during the 1960s; George Best, known as the "[[Fifth Beatle]]" for his iconic haircut, was the first footballer to significantly develop an off-the-field media profile.<ref name="hamil_116"/>

As the second English football club to float on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club raised significant capital, with which it further developed its commercial strategy. The club's focus on commercial and sporting success brought significant profits in an industry often characterised by chronic losses.<ref>Hamil (2008), p. 124.</ref> The strength of the Manchester United brand was bolstered by intense off-the-field media attention to individual players, most notably David Beckham (who quickly developed his own global brand). This attention often generates greater interest in on-the-field activities, and hence generates sponsorship opportunities – the value of which is driven by television exposure.<ref>Hamil (2008), p. 121.</ref> During his time with the club, Beckham's popularity across Asia was integral to the club's commercial success in that part of the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beckham fever grips Japan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2999514.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2003 |access-date=20 June 2010 |archive-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511095439/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2999514.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Because higher league placement results in a greater share of television rights, success on the field generates greater income for the club. Since the inception of the Premier League, Manchester United has received the largest share of the revenue generated from the [[BSkyB]] broadcasting deal.<ref>Hamil (2008), p. 120.</ref> Manchester United has also consistently enjoyed the highest commercial income of any English club; in 2005–06, the club's commercial arm generated £51&nbsp;million, compared to £42.5&nbsp;million at Chelsea, £39.3&nbsp;million at Liverpool, £34&nbsp;million at Arsenal and £27.9&nbsp;million at Newcastle United. A key sponsorship relationship was with sportswear company [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], who managed the club's merchandising operation as part of a £303&nbsp;million 13-year partnership between 2002 and 2015.<ref>Hamil (2008), p. 122.</ref> Through Manchester United Finance and the club's membership scheme, One United, those with an affinity for the club can purchase a range of branded goods and services. Additionally, Manchester United-branded media services – such as the club's dedicated television channel, [[MUTV (Manchester United F.C.)|MUTV]] – have allowed the club to expand its fan base to those beyond the reach of its Old Trafford stadium.<ref name="hamil_126"/>

===Sponsorship===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right"
|-
!scope="col"| Period
!scope="col"| Kit manufacturer
!scope="col"| Shirt sponsor (chest)
!scope="col"| Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
!scope="col"| Shirt sponsor (back)
|-
|1945–1975
|[[Umbro]]
|rowspan="3"|—
|rowspan="11"|—
|rowspan="14"|—
|-
|1975–1980
|[[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]
|-
|1980–1982
|rowspan="2"|[[Adidas]]
|-
|1982–1992
|rowspan="2"|[[Sharp Corporation|Sharp Electronics]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first=Jamie |last=Spencer |title=Man Utd in talks over new £70m a season shirt sponsor |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-in-70m-a-season-talks-over-new-shirt-sponsor |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=90min.com |date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312212828/https://www.90min.com/posts/man-utd-in-70m-a-season-talks-over-new-shirt-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1992–2000
|rowspan="2"|[[Umbro]]
|-
|2000–2002
|rowspan="2"|[[Vodafone]]<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2002–2006
|rowspan="4"|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|-
|2006–2010
|[[American International Group|AIG]]<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2010–2014
|[[Aon (company)|Aon]]<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2014–2015
|rowspan="3"|[[Chevrolet]]<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2015–2018
|rowspan="5"|[[Adidas]]
|-
|2018–2021
|rowspan="2"|[[Kohler Co.|Kohler]]
|-
|2021–2022
|rowspan=2|[[TeamViewer]]
|-
|2022–2024
|rowspan="2"|[[DXC Technology]]
|-
|2024–
|[[Qualcomm Snapdragon|Snapdragon]]
|[[Microsoft Copilot|Microsoft Copilot+ PC]] (League Cup)
|}
In an initial five-year deal worth £500,000, [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp Electronics]] became the club's first shirt sponsor at the beginning of the 1982–83 season, a relationship that lasted until the end of the 1999–2000 season, when [[Vodafone]] agreed a four-year, £30&nbsp;million deal.<ref name="shirt_sponsorship">{{cite news |first=James |last=Ducker |title=Manchester United show financial muscle after signing record £80m shirt contract |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6426463.ece |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=4 June 2009 |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201172528/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6426463.ece }}</ref> Vodafone agreed to pay £36&nbsp;million to extend the deal by four years, but after two seasons triggered a break clause in order to concentrate on its sponsorship of the Champions League.<ref name="shirt_sponsorship"/>

To commence at the start of the 2006–07 season, American insurance corporation [[American International Group|AIG]] agreed a four-year £56.5&nbsp;million deal which in September 2006 became the most valuable in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oilinvest to renegotiate Juventus sponsorship |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/oilinvest-renegotiate-juventus-sponsorship |publisher=SportBusiness (SBG Companies) |date=7 September 2006 |access-date=28 May 2007 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110250/http://www.sportbusiness.com/oilinvest-renegotiate-juventus-sponsorship |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd sign £56m AIG shirt deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4882640.stm |work=BBC News |date=6 April 2006 |access-date=24 June 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518155937/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4882640.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, American reinsurance company [[Aon plc|Aon]] became the club's principal sponsor in a four-year deal reputed to be worth approximately £80&nbsp;million, making it the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal in football history.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Ben |last1=Smith |first2=James |last2=Ducker |title=Manchester United announce £80&nbsp;million sponsorship deal with Aon |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6422090.ece |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=3 June 2009 |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201172528/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article6422090.ece }}</ref> Manchester United announced their first training kit sponsor in August 2011, agreeing a four-year deal with [[DHL Express|DHL]] reported to be worth £40&nbsp;million; it is believed to be the first instance of training kit sponsorship in English football.<ref>{{cite news |title=DHL delivers new shirt deal |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2011/Aug/DHL-delivers-ground-breaking-deal.aspx |work=Manchester United |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113205356/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2011/Aug/DHL-delivers-ground-breaking-deal.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manchester United unveils two new commercial deals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14615711 |work=BBC News |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822171759/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14615711 |url-status=live }}</ref> The DHL contract lasted for over a year before the club bought back the contract in October 2012, although they remained the club's official logistics partner.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manchester United buy back training kit sponsorship rights from DHL |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/26/manchester-united-training-kit-sponsorship |work=The Guardian |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=12 September 2014 |archive-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913032456/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/26/manchester-united-training-kit-sponsorship |url-status=live }}</ref> The contract for the training kit sponsorship was then sold to Aon in April 2013 for a deal worth £180&nbsp;million over eight years, which also included purchasing the naming rights for the [[Trafford Training Centre]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ogden |first=Mark |title=Manchester United to sign £180m Aon deal to change name of Carrington training base |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9977438/Manchester-United-to-sign-180m-Aon-deal-to-change-name-of-Carrington-training-base.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9977438/Manchester-United-to-sign-180m-Aon-deal-to-change-name-of-Carrington-training-base.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=7 April 2013 |access-date=28 January 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The club's first kit manufacturer was [[Umbro]], until a five-year deal was agreed with [[Admiral Sportswear]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admiralsportswear.com/heritage.htm |title=Admiral: Heritage |access-date=11 July 2010 |work=Admiral Sportswear |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228182703/http://www.admiralsportswear.com/heritage.htm |archive-date=28 February 2009 }}</ref> Adidas won the contract in 1980,<ref>Devlin (2005), p. 149.</ref> before Umbro started a second spell in 1992.<ref>Devlin (2005), p. 148.</ref> That sponsorship lasted for ten years, followed by Nike's record-breaking £302.9&nbsp;million deal, which lasted until 2015; 3.8&nbsp;million replica shirts were sold in the first 22 months with the company.<ref>Hamil (2008), p. 127.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd in £300m Nike deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1005794.stm |work=BBC News |date=3 November 2000 |access-date=24 June 2010 |archive-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112104000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1005794.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to Nike and Chevrolet, the club also has several lower-level "platinum" sponsors, including Aon and [[Budweiser]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Wachman |first=Richard |title=Manchester United fans call on corporate sponsors to back fight against Glazers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/24/manchester-united-corporate-sponsors-glazers-red-knights |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 April 2010 |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928130848/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/24/manchester-united-corporate-sponsors-glazers-red-knights |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 July 2012, United signed a seven-year deal with American automotive corporation [[General Motors]], which replaced Aon as the shirt sponsor from the 2014–15 season. The new $80m-a-year shirt deal is worth $559m over seven years and features the logo of General Motors brand [[Chevrolet]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Edgecliffe |first=Andrew |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/776d0ba2-ddb6-11e1-aa7b-00144feab49a.html#axzz2Ahv4xupV |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210201257/https://www.ft.com/content/776d0ba2-ddb6-11e1-aa7b-00144feab49a#axzz2Ahv4xupV |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=GM in record Man Utd sponsorship deal |publisher=FT.com |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=29 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chevrolet signs seven-year deal |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2012/Jul/chevrolet-signs-seven-year-shirt-deal-beginning-in-2014.aspx |work=Manchester United |date=30 July 2012 |access-date=30 July 2012 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926192500/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2012/Jul/chevrolet-signs-seven-year-shirt-deal-beginning-in-2014.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Nike announced that they would not renew their kit supply deal with Manchester United after the 2014–15 season, citing rising costs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier League: Sportswear giants Nike to end Manchester United sponsorship|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9375980/premier-league-sportswear-giants-nike-to-end-manchester-united-sponsorship|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=9 July 2014|archive-date=12 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712010003/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9375980/premier-league-sportswear-giants-nike-to-end-manchester-united-sponsorship|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Chad |last=Bray |title=Nike and Manchester United Set to End Equipment Partnership |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/business/international/nike-and-manchester-united-set-to-end-partnership.html |work=The New York Times |date=9 July 2014 |access-date=9 July 2014 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709221518/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/business/international/nike-and-manchester-united-set-to-end-partnership.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the start of the 2015–16 season, Adidas has manufactured Manchester United's kit as part of a world-record 10-year deal worth a minimum of £750&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |title=Manchester United sign record 10-year kit deal with Adidas worth £750m |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/14/manchester-united-kit-deal-adidas |work=theguardian.com |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134516/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/14/manchester-united-kit-deal-adidas |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=De Menezes |title=Manchester United and adidas announce record £75m-per-year deal after Nike pull out |url=http://www.flicksfromthepast.com/article/manchester-united-and-adidas-announce-record---75m-per-year-deal-after-nike-pull-out |work=The Independent |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101074719/http://www.flicksfromthepast.com/article/manchester-united-and-adidas-announce-record---75m-per-year-deal-after-nike-pull-out |archive-date=1 January 2016 }}</ref> Plumbing products manufacturer [[Kohler Co.|Kohler]] became the club's first sleeve sponsor ahead of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kohler Unveiled as Shirt Sleeve Sponsor |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kohler-unveiled-as-man-united-principal-partner-and-shirt-sleeve-sponsor |work=Manchester United |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=12 July 2018 |archive-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605231853/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/kohler-unveiled-as-man-united-principal-partner-and-shirt-sleeve-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref> Manchester United and General Motors did not renew their sponsorship deal, and the club subsequently signed a five-year, £235&nbsp;million sponsorship deal with [[TeamViewer]] ahead of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester United agree £235m shirt sponsorship contract with TeamViewer from next season in five-year deal |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12250656/manchester-united-agree-235m-shirt-sponsorship-contract-with-teamviewer-from-next-season-in-five-year-deal |website=Sky Sports |date=19 March 2021 |access-date=4 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190722/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12250656/manchester-united-agree-235m-shirt-sponsorship-contract-with-teamviewer-from-next-season-in-five-year-deal |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the 2023–24 season, TeamViewer were replaced by [[Qualcomm Snapdragon|Snapdragon]], who agreed a deal worth more than £60&nbsp;million a year to take over as the club's main sponsor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd agree deal with new shirt sponsor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cy9w28zzly7o |website=BBC Sport |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=15 August 2024 }}</ref> In August 2024, Snapdragon's parent company [[Qualcomm]] triggered an option to extend the deal by two years, taking it through to 2029.<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Crafton |title=Manchester United's Snapdragon shirt sponsorship deal extended by two years until 2029 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5702630/2024/08/15/manchester-united-snapdragon-qualcomm-shirt-sponsor/ |work=The Athletic |date=15 August 2024 |access-date=15 August 2024 }}</ref>