wahyinghung
06-03-2009, 05:22 PM
Manchester United have confirmed a four-year shirt deal with US financial giant Aon Corp, which is reportedly the biggest agreement of its kind.
The Chicago-based firm, the world's largest insurance broker, has been chosen by the Premier League champions to replace insurance company AIG as official sponsors.
AIG, the former American insurance giant, said in January it would not be renewing its £14m-per-year contract after it was hit by the world economic downturn.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Aon deal was worth £20m a year for four years.
United have not confirmed how much the agreement is worth.
But if it is £80m, then that would be about 40% more than AIG was paying and 17% more than Bayern Munich's shirt sponsorship with mobile phone provider T-Home.
United chief executive David Gill said: "Today's announcement clearly strengthens our position as one of the biggest clubs in world football."
The AIG contract runs until 2010 so Sir Alex Ferguson's team will continue to wear the AIG logo.
United finished the 2008-09 season as world champions and domestic champions.
But they lost their European crown to Barcelona last month in a 2-0 Champions League defeat.
United is valued at £1.1bn by Forbes Magazine.
It has huge debts following Malcolm Glazer's takeover in 2005, but sponsors are still attracted by a brand with fans across the world.
AIG received a bailout from the US government in September and said four months later that it would not renew its four-year sponsorship with United when it expires at the end of next season.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Manchester-United-Signs-80m-Shirt-Deal-With-American-Financial-Services-Firm-Aon/Article/200906115294893?lpos=Business_Second_Home_Page_Art icle_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15294893_Manchester_United_Signs_%3F80 m_Shirt_Deal_With_American_Financial_Services_Firm _Aon
The Chicago-based firm, the world's largest insurance broker, has been chosen by the Premier League champions to replace insurance company AIG as official sponsors.
AIG, the former American insurance giant, said in January it would not be renewing its £14m-per-year contract after it was hit by the world economic downturn.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Aon deal was worth £20m a year for four years.
United have not confirmed how much the agreement is worth.
But if it is £80m, then that would be about 40% more than AIG was paying and 17% more than Bayern Munich's shirt sponsorship with mobile phone provider T-Home.
United chief executive David Gill said: "Today's announcement clearly strengthens our position as one of the biggest clubs in world football."
The AIG contract runs until 2010 so Sir Alex Ferguson's team will continue to wear the AIG logo.
United finished the 2008-09 season as world champions and domestic champions.
But they lost their European crown to Barcelona last month in a 2-0 Champions League defeat.
United is valued at £1.1bn by Forbes Magazine.
It has huge debts following Malcolm Glazer's takeover in 2005, but sponsors are still attracted by a brand with fans across the world.
AIG received a bailout from the US government in September and said four months later that it would not renew its four-year sponsorship with United when it expires at the end of next season.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Manchester-United-Signs-80m-Shirt-Deal-With-American-Financial-Services-Firm-Aon/Article/200906115294893?lpos=Business_Second_Home_Page_Art icle_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15294893_Manchester_United_Signs_%3F80 m_Shirt_Deal_With_American_Financial_Services_Firm _Aon