Manchester United and Liverpool Unite Against Premier League's £750m Advertising Plan
In a rare show of unity off the pitch, bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are joining forces to oppose a Premier League proposal that aims to centralise control of perimeter advertising sales. The plan, unveiled at a recent shareholders' meeting, could generate an estimated £750 million in annual revenue for the league.
Details of the Premier League Proposal
The ambitious proposal would see the Premier League take over negotiations for advertising hoardings around pitches, moving away from the current system where individual clubs secure their own deals with brands. Under this framework, 60% of pitch-side advertising would be sold centrally by the league, with the revenue distributed among all 20 Premier League teams based on various factors.
Currently, clubs have access to five minutes of advertising space on their boards during matches. However, this is reduced to just two minutes when games are televised, with the remaining three minutes allocated to broadcasters. The new plan also includes increasing the number of premium commercial partners from seven to ten.
Opposition from Elite Clubs
Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City are among the 'big six' clubs reportedly turning their noses up at the idea. When approached for comment by the Daily Mail, none of these clubs responded, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue. It is claimed that many elite-level clubs believe their commercial expertise surpasses that of the Premier League, making them better equipped to handle such deals independently.
After last week's meeting, one chief executive raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest with existing club sponsors. The fear is that centralised advertising could lead to rival brands being promoted, undermining longstanding deals that clubs have with specific products.
Premier League's Perspective and Future Talks
Despite the Premier League declining to comment on the matter, sources indicate that officials view the move as 'nothing but a benefit to clubs,' arguing it could streamline operations and boost overall revenue. The league is expected to continue holding talks with clubs in the coming months to address concerns and refine the proposal.
This development comes amid broader discussions about commercial strategies in English football, as clubs seek to maximise income while maintaining autonomy. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact how advertising revenue is generated and shared across the Premier League in the future.
