Sponsorship Now Tops Broadcast, Matchday Revenue At Manchester United

Manchester United posted its best year ever for commercial revenue, which now represents 36.7% of the club's total revenue and for the first time exceeds broadcast and matchday income. The club reported its first annual results as a NYSE-listed company earlier today. Boosted by its unprecedented $559 million sponsorship deal with U.S. automaker, General Motors, Manchester United reported that annual sponsorship revenue over the past year has jumped nearly 15% to $102 million.

Since July, Manchester United has secured new sponsorship deals including Bwin, Toshiba Medical Systems, Yanmar, Fuji TV, Santander, Shinsei Bank and MBNA while over the past year, deals with DHL and Nike helped contribute to a 13.7%, $190 million, gain in overall commercial revenue for the famed football club.

'We are delighted to announce our first results as a NYSE listed company; fiscal 2012 was the best year ever for Manchester United's commercial business," Ed Woodward, Executive Vice Chairman said. "Our world-record $559m shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet and the Premier League's new GBP 1bn a year UK television rights deal (a 70% increase) highlight the outstanding growth prospects for the future."

The lion's share of sponsorship revenue at the club comes from two partners. Kit supplier, Nike, and current shirt sponsor, Aon, make up 44% of commercial revenue while all other partners account for 56%. The new shirt deal with GM's Chevrolet unit, which will begin in 2014, will represent an increase of approximately 120% from current shirt sponsor, Aon.

Manchester United opened for trading on August 10th under the ticker symbol “MANU." Shares were down roughly 2.5% as the club reported that total income over the year fell by 3.3%.

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