Manchester United’s concept photos for a new 100,000-seater stadium look outrageously impressive.
Earlier this month, Manchester United revealed their stadium plans which involved demolishing Old Trafford and building a new state-of-the-art venue.
United fans were split by the bold design, which features three towering spires which prop up a canopy capable of collecting solar energy and rain water.
If everything goes according to plan, United’s new stadium will be complete in 2030, but there are some big questions that still need to be answered.
The new stadium will cost around £2bn, but United are yet to secure any funding for the construction.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Stadium naming rights could be worth £300m for Man United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed United would have gone bust in 2025 had it not been for the ruthless cost-cutting methods implemented by Ineos.
Not only do Ineos have to balance the books at Old Trafford, but they now have to figure out where £2bn is coming from for a new stadium.
One avenue is for Ineos to consider a stadium naming rights deal which could knock a significant portion off the stadium build cost.
More United News
Michael Weaver is an expert on stadium naming rights deals, and he told The Athletic that United could earn as much as £300m if they strike a 10-year naming rights deal for the new venue.
“[They] are like free money for clubs and those who do not have them are simply leaving money on the table,” Weaver said.
“If Manchester United sold the naming rights to Old Trafford, our analysis suggests they would earn about £15m a year but you could double that for a new stadium.
“If the club decides to build a new ground, a naming-rights deal for, let’s say, 10 years, would cover a significant chunk of the construction costs and enable them to borrow money for the rest at a better interest rate.”
After calling Old Trafford home for over 100 years, moving to a new ground will be extremely strange for United, even more so if it ends up being plastered in brands and sponsorships.
Omar Berrada has raved about the new stadium plans, but fans may not like what he had to say about a potential naming rights deal.
“All options are open, we’re not closing any doors,” Omar Berrada said when asked whether United will cash in on a naming deal.
“We obviously want the new stadium to give us additional revenues for us to be able to invest in the team, and I think that’s going to help.”
READ MORE: Omar Berrada quashes Man Utd fans’ biggest worry in transfer market, ‘Our recruitment strategy…’
It seems as though Ineos are leaning towards finding a naming partner for the stadium, despite it potentially angering fans.
Then again, during Ratcliffe’s first year as United co-owner, he has certainly shown that he is not afraid to anger the fanbase.