TeamViewer deal terminated ahead of Snapdragon sponsorship
Even though Manchester United and TeamViewer signed a five-year deal worth £47 million ($91.4 million AUD) per year back in 2021, there were no doubts about TeamViewer’s sponsorship of Manchester United ending this season. TeamViewer and Manchester United agreed to a contract buyout last December, which paved the way for a new shirt sponsor this season.
At the time, in 2021, it was widely reported that Manchester United were taking a cut-rate deal due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Manchester United pointed out in their most recent announcement, Manchester United is one of the most popular football clubs in the world. On an open market, their shirt sponsorship is one of the most valuable commodities in football, so now that the market has stabilised, the Red Devils were keen to either negotiate the TeamViewer deal or reenter the market for a new sponsor.
The club obviously chose to do the latter. Snapdragon will be Manchester United’s new front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2024-25 Premier League season onwards thanks to a new sponsorship agreement with Qualcomm Technologies. Manchester United’s new sponsorship is reportedly worth £60 million ($116.7 million AUD) per year.
Qualcomm Technologies and Snapdragon familiar to sports sponsorship
Qualcomm Technologies is a US technology company based in San Diego, California. The company owns numerous other smaller tech companies, including Snapdragon, who specialises in producing computer hardware and microchips.
Snapdragon is the principal sponsor of San Diego State University’s football stadium. Snapdragon Stadium is also the home ground for National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave. Major League Soccer has also announced a new top-division soccer team in San Diego that will play at Snapdragon Stadium.
Qualcomm Technologies deal announced amid uncertain times at Manchester United
While soccer fans usually are not too concerned with sponsorship announcements, Man United fans are surely rejoicing this move. It was reported this week that Manchester United is over £1 billion ($1.9 billion AUD) in debt. With no new owner in sight, many fans have worried about a potential firesale should the club miss out on the Champions League again.
Missing the Champions League is always a possibility in a league as tough as the Premier League, but it is looking more and more likely for the Red Devils as injuries and off-the-pitch controversies continue to plague the club.
Bet365 currently gives ManU 2.75 odds to finish top four. Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool all have better odds. However, bet365 gives Newcastle and Tottenham the same odds as Manchester United, meaning the Red Devils are certainly not a lock for top four according to the betting sites.
