Manchester United has signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom.
The five-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s biggest telecommunications company was announced at Old Trafford in Manchester, England yesterday, ahead of United’s season-opening home match against Newcastle. The deal is reportedly worth US$18.6 million.
It is the European and English champion’s biggest marketing deal outside of jersey sponsorship. Insurance group AIG pays US$27.4 million annually for its branding to be emblazoned across United’s jerseys.
Saudi Telecom, whose ads were featured inside and outside Old Trafford on Sunday, will be able to use the United brand and players in advertising campaigns in Saudi Arabia.
Executives from the company were presented on the pitch before kickoff at Sunday’s match.
United negotiated a territory-specific sponsorship deal with Smirnoff Vodka in June for the right to use the club’s imagery in China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
