Man UTD Reportedly Considers Selling Old Trafford Naming Rights

Manchester United FC is reportedly considering the sale of naming rights to Old Trafford, according to The Athletic.

The report says that United has held ‘exploratory talks’ with financial firms such as Bank of America, as it looks to fund a multi-billion pound project that would see the redevelopment of the iconic stadium, or the construction of a new venue.

United are also considering a significant increase in ticket prices in order to raise capital.

In March, United appointed a new task force to weigh up potential options to develop a ‘world class’ football stadium.

Earlier this year, the club’s new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said that a renovation would cost around £1bn, while a new stadium could cost as much as £2bn.

If Old Trafford is redeveloped, the Red Devils could reportedly retain the stadium’s name, while adding an associated partner, in similar fashion to Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, or NFL team the Kansas City Chiefs’ GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Should United opt to build an entirely new stadium, the club may reportedly look to bring in a naming rights partner, in a deal that could generate tens of millions of pounds. This would be similar to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, or Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Since the arrival of Ratcliffe in February, the club’s part-owner has made known his ambition for a state-of-the-art venue that will “serve the North of England.”

The Theatre of Dreams has been home to United for 114 years, and is the Premier League’s largest stadium, with a capacity of 74,310.

However, despite once being regarded as one of the finest stadiums in England, Old Trafford has fallen into disrepair in recent years, and has not been renovated since 2006.

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