ManU Plans To Split Up International Sponsorship Rights

ManU Planning To Market Global Sponsorships

English Premier League team Manchester United has "developed plans to break up a chunk of their sponsorship rights and market them separately in countries around the world," according to David Bond of the London TELEGRAPH. The move marks "a departure from the traditional sponsorship" model of other Premier League teams, as ManU Owner Malcolm Glazer is "keen to exploit the club's global fan base" after research found the team has 333 million fans worldwide.  ManU execs "believe that by offering limited rights to the United brand to companies in territories such as China and America, they will be able to significantly boost their revenues." The new program "will not affect their lead sponsorship deals, such as their [US$112M], four-year shirt sponsorship agreement with insurance group AIG" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/8).