Man Utd in talks over new £70m a season shirt sponsor
Manchester United are believed to be in talks with an unnamed American software company that could replace Chevrolet on the team’s shirts in the coming months.
United’s existing deal with Chevrolet began in 2014 and was originally due to expire at the end of this season. It was extended until December 2021 but it is not expected to be renewed, with the club potentially set to strike an even more lucrative partnership.
United earn £64m per season from Chevrolet, but The Sun claims talks are ongoing over a new deal with a ‘mystery’ software company in the United States that could eclipse that and hit £70m.
Because of the timing of the contracts, United could potentially end up swapping shirt sponsors halfway through next season unless some form of compromise or agreement is reached.
United have changed shirt sponsors relatively infrequently over the years, with Chevrolet just the fifth different brand name to adorn the front of the famous red jerseys.
Sharp (1982 – 2000)
United struck a long-term deal with electronics company Sharp when they first displayed the name of a shirt sponsor in 1982. Sharp remains perhaps the club’s single most iconic sponsor and the relationship was maintained for 18 years until 2000.
Sharp-sponsored United shirts were worn throughout the early dominance of the Premier League era and for the 1998/99 treble season.
Vodafone (2000 – 2006)
Telecoms provider Vodafone took over United’s shirt sponsorship in the summer of 2000 and adorned kits manufactured by both Umbro and Nike during its six-year run.
AIG (2006 – 2010)
Shortly after the controversial Glazer takeover in 2005, United turned to the increasingly profitable American market for the first time when AIG, a finance and insurance corporation, took over.
AIG shirts were worn for one of the most concentrated periods of success in the club’s history, coinciding with Sir Alex Ferguson’s third great United team, which won three Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League, in the space of four seasons.
Aon (2010 – 2014)
From one three-letter sponsor to another, United struck a deal with professional services firm Aon that began in 2010. The first season of the partnership saw the club win a record 19th English league title and reach a third Champions League final since 2008.
Aon was also on the front of the shirt the last time United were crowned Premier League champions.
Chevrolet (2014 – 2021)
The post-Ferguson era at Old Trafford has been associated with Chevrolet-branded shirts. Success on the pitch has been fleeting, although the mega deal has been one of the main reasons that United have continued to be one of the wealthiest clubs in the world regardless.
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