Manchester City's Image Gets a Major Boost: Major Businesses Show Unwavering Support Amidst Premier League Charges!
Even as Manchester City navigates serious accusations regarding their financial dealings over the past three years, the club is receiving a resounding "huge endorsement" from the business world. In a move that would make any rival club executive "pull your arm off," City has recently secured two significant sponsorship deals. This demonstrates that despite the ongoing Premier League charges, which could potentially lead to point deductions or even expulsion from the league if proven, brands are not shying away from associating with the club.
Business as usual seems to be the mantra at the Etihad Stadium. Since the charges were revealed in February 2023, Manchester City has continued to expand its commercial activities. The recent partnerships include Revolut, a rapidly growing fintech company, extending their collaboration to become the back-of-shirt sponsor for the men's team in domestic cup games. Additionally, the Chinese automotive giant BYD, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has joined as a shirt sleeve sponsor for both the men's and women's training kits.
Christian Purslow, a former executive from rival clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, highlighted the significance of these deals. He believes they are a clear indication that City remains an attractive prospect for top-tier sponsors, a feat many other clubs would covet. "They are the only club to have £700m of revenue three times," Purslow noted on The Football Boardroom Podcast. "I would also say that one metric the business community would apply to the health of top football clubs is the quality of calibre of sponsors and sponsorship deals, and Manchester City in the last week or two have added two commercial partners."
He elaborated on the prestige of these new partners: "One is BYD, the Chinese EV maker, one of the fastest growing companies in the world, the dominant EV maker in the world nudging ahead of Tesla. Every single football club in the world would want BYD as their automotive car partner; they've gone to Manchester City." He also emphasized that there are no suggested links between Manchester City's ownership and BYD, reinforcing that this is a purely commercial arrangement with a major public company.
"Nearer home, the fastest growing fintech company in the world, Revolut, a company that is expected to have a huge public offering in the next year or two, some of the most prestigious owners of the world," Purslow added. "Revolut is the fintech banking partner for Manchester City. They're not just a tick, they are a huge endorsement by major business entities that they want their brand associated with Manchester City so any sense that the business community is holding off endorsing Manchester City because it has some as yet undetermined legal case is for the words."
But here's where it gets controversial: Purslow suggests that the strength of these commercial partnerships undermines any argument for Manchester City to settle their Premier League case or abandon their appeal. He stated, "If Billy Hogan [CEO] at Liverpool was here, or Vinai [Venkatesham, CEO] at Spurs, or Todd Boehly at Chelsea, and they were offered a chance to have Revolut and BYD as sponsors, they would pull your arm off. That for me is any argument why I see no reason that City might say they should settle this case or give up or not appeal. Why on earth would they draw that? They believe they are innocent, they have a legitimate course of action, I expect them to take it."
And this is the part most people miss: The continued influx of high-profile sponsors, despite the cloud of charges, suggests that the business world views these accusations differently than some might expect. Does this indicate a lack of concern from major brands, or is it a strategic move by City to project an image of resilience and continued success?
What do you think? Does Manchester City's ability to attract top-tier sponsors prove their innocence, or is it simply a testament to their commercial appeal regardless of ongoing investigations? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with Purslow's assessment, or do you see it differently?
