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Money, money, money... Manchester United today agreed a record £30 million sponsorship deal with Vodafone to create a partnership between two of the world's most fearsome businesses. The agreement has brought together the richest football club on the planet and the fourth largest company globally, the mobile communications giant having just completed the biggest ever takeover by buying a controlling stake in German firm Mannesmann AG for £114 billion. The two parties have called the deal a 'commercial alliance' and it makes Vodafone UK the principal sponsor and telecommunications and equipment services partner to the football club from 1 June. The company will provide mobile phone and wireless internet services to United's worldwide supporter base and their logo will be on club shirts. The four-year deal dwarfs other clubs' commercial agreements, with Arsenal's three-year contract with Sega the previous biggest at £10m. But there was unprecedented interest in sponsoring United pushing the price up and the club, with a turnover of nearly £88m a year, held out for the best possible deal. They have been tied to Japanese electronics group Sharp for the past 18 years - the longest-running sponsor-ship deal in football - and their most recent deal was worth around £1.5m a year. But, in the run-up to their contract renewal at the end of the season, United are thought to have been courted by a host of leading companies. These included computer giants Microsoft, internet firms Yahoo! and Amazon.com and Emirates Airlines. For £30m Vodafone, who also sponsor the England cricket team, have also bought the rights to use the Manchester United brand in promotions and advertising, hospitality access and perimeter display boards at all home games, excluding the Champions League. The companies said the first wireless internet services - possibly with game and goal highlights - will be made available to Manchester United's supporters from the beginning of next season. (Soccernet) |
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