Sunday December 3, 2023

Manchester United Doing Fine with No Fans

  • Manchester United has weathered the pandemic well, despite a precipitous drop in game revenue.
  • The soccer club had a slight uptick in revenue in the last quarter of 2020.
Manchester United/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

If you were only looking at Manchester United’s finances, you might not have noticed there was anything different over the last year. 

The English soccer club has weathered the pandemic better than most. Revenues in the final quarter of 2020 were up 2.6% compared to the same period in 2019, despite not having live fans at games at any point during the quarter. Gate and concession losses were counterbalanced by 68% growth in its broadcasting revenue, which rose to $150.2 million.

But not everything has been easy for the club. Game revenues plummeted 95.5% to $2.1 million on the quarter, down from $45.3 million the previous year. It also added $89.2 million to its net debt, prompting it to draw $83.2 million from an available credit line of $277.3 million.

Man U took a hit on its shirt sponsorships, signing a five-year deal with technology company TeamViewer for $65.2 million a year, down from its previous nine-year contract with Chevrolet, which reeled in $88.8 million annually. 

Despite that drop in income, the TeamViewer deal is still the largest standalone deal in the Premier League and could still be augmented by a new automobile sponsorship. 

Still, as the second-place Premier League club looks forward to live fans returning, it remains enormously valuable. Avram Glazer, whose family collectively owns 78% of Manchester United (and a majority stake in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), plans to sell 3.1% of the club’s shares, which at current prices will net him over $100 million.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi looks on before taking a free-kick against New York City during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium.

Inter Miami Already Sold Out 2024 Season Tickets

Miami saw a 1,215% surge in demand even after prices almost doubled.
The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Chelsea player Guro Reiten completes pass during game

Investment Interest In U.K. Women's Soccer Has Never Been Higher

The Women's Super League could get new investment.
Everton

League Sanctions Infuriate Everton Fans—and Complicate a $685M Sale

Fans protest unprecedented penalty from the Premier League.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Looking to Super Bowl for Media Rights Plan

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.
November 6, 2023

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers
Olympic rings in front of mountains in the background

IOC's Winter Olympics Favorites: France 2030, Salt Lake City 2034

Preferred bidders have been selected for 2030 and 2034.
November 21, 2023

Cricket Continues To Surge In Popularity

Tournament posts record-level attendance, streaming totals.
November 27, 2023

Two U.S. World Cups in Two Years?

The United States is hoping to host the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Oct 22, 2022; Paris, FRANCE; General view the Eiffel Tower and the Seine river, as seen from Pont Alexandre III in advance of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The bridge will serve as the site for triathlon, open water swim and road cycling.
November 20, 2023

Paris Olympics Problems Continue With Price-Gouging Claims

Average room prices expected to more than triple for upcoming Games.
Saudi player wins ball from Argentinian player in World Cup match-up
November 17, 2023

$1B Saudi Arabian-FIFA Deal Expected To Follow 2034 World Cup Bid

Saudi oil company Aramco is reportedly close to a deal with FIFA.
November 14, 2023

Wimbledon Expansion In Doubt Amid Local Objections

Local borough planners recommended rejection of project
November 9, 2023

Major Pay Increases Hitting International Women's Soccer

The Women's FA Cup is doubling its prize money.