Man Utd nets £36m deal with Vodafone

Manchester United have today agreed a £36 million sponsorship deal with Vodafone – the biggest ever brokered for a premiership club.

The plc's announced a new four-year partnership that will see Vodafone continue as Manchester United's principal sponsor and business partner in "delivering club content to football fans around the world through wireless technologies".

The sponsorship deal, worth £36 million to the club over four years commencing on 1 June 2004, will see Manchester United results, news, still and video images, ringtones and games, rolled out onto wireless devices around the world. Globally, Vodafone has over 125 million customers and Manchester United has in excess of 53 million fans.

A club statement said: "The agreement builds on the success of the alliance over the past four years, a period in which Vodafone became the world leader in the provision of wireless telephony services and United cemented its position as the most popular club in world football with a following that spans the globe."

Vodafone will remain the club's principal sponsor and have the Vodafone name and logo on the club's playing kit. In addition Vodafone will become the title and sole partner of a new event at Old Trafford to be inaugurated in the summer of 2004 – 'The Vodafone Tournament of Champions', and will also enjoy "enhanced branding and hosting rights" at the club's Old Trafford stadium over the next four years.

Manchester United's Chief Executive David Gill said: "The new deal is great news for Manchester United and its fans. The partnership with Vodafone has been a huge success in its first four years and the latest agreement is all about building on that success and delivering even more to our fans around the world.

"The continuation of the partnership reflects the strength of the Manchester United brand name as a global sports property and the income from this agreement will help us invest further in the club and its diverse interests both on and off the field. Needless to say we're delighted to be signing a new agreement with one of the world's leading brands."

Peter Bamford, Vodafone’s Chief Marketing Officer, said that the new deal "would enable us to continue to build Vodafone as one of the leading brands in the world".

(gmcg)