Aon deal boosts Manchester United’s commercial coffers

An increase in sponsorship income from the likes of Nike and Aon helped Manchester United register a record turnover last year.

The Premier League club received £286.4m in revenue in the year to 30 June, up from £278.4m a year earlier.

Commercial revenues increased 16.5% to £81.4m in the period, the club adds.

United’s commercial income was buoyed by the start of its £20m per season shirt sponsorship deal with insurance giant Aon in July and a raft of new global partnerships with the likes of African mobile phone operator MTN Group, Telekom Malaysia and Turkish Airlines.

Media revenue gleaned from televised live matches and highlights of its league and cup games was up 5.1% to £104.8m.

Despite increased turnover, United swung from the £48m profit registered the year before to a record £79.6m loss, hit by interest payments and a £67m one-off charge relating to the bond issue instigated by the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

The anomaly has irked fans groups such as the Manchester United Supporters Trust (Must), which is angry with the debts that the Glazers have saddled the club with.

A spokesman for Must says: “The financial results continue to demonstrate the tremendous revenue generated by Manchester United – directly or indirectly through the unparalleled loyal support the club receives. Sadly those supporters are let down by owners who continue to extract millions from our club.”

Must orchestrated a season-long protest last time out and has vowed to continue with its effort to oust the Americans this campaign.

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