BusinessWeek on MUFC tour and business of soccer in the US

obie · Jun 16, 2003

From June 23rd issue

Generally a good read, though they do say that MLS attendance has been steadily rising.

Blitzz Boy · Jun 17, 2003

Good find, Obie.

Man U can build their own stadium, but US pro sports teams need several million dollars in Corporate Welfare to build their stadiums?

microbrew · Jun 17, 2003

Nike Inc. last year agreed to pay $450 million over 13 years to design and supply new clothing and equipment and take over Man U's entire merchandising business, giving it more global punch. "The scale that we brought was unattainable for them," says Nike co-President Charlie Denson.
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What are Nike's plans to market Manchester United in the US? And does any other team have a deal where someone else does all their merchandising?

da_cfo · Jun 17, 2003

The article cited "an estimated 4 million" Man U fans in the US.

I don't buy it.

If there were actually "4 million" Man U fans in the US, Man U telecasts would air on a big cable network available in 80+ million homes instead of FOX Sports World.

Eric B · Jun 17, 2003

Originally posted by da_cfo
The article cited "an estimated 4 million" Man U fans in the US.

I don't buy it.

If there were actually "4 million" Man U fans in the US, Man U telecasts would air on a big cable network available in 80+ million homes instead of FOX Sports World.
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You're not getting that many hits looking up match times on YES, I take it?

da_cfo · Jun 17, 2003

Originally posted by Eric B
You're not getting that many hits looking up match times on YES, I take it?
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By the time YES gets to air the Man U games on 4-day delay, the product is long past its sell-by date.

Even if Man U gets a 1.0 cable rating on YES, that would only account for 30000 households, which is nowhere near 4 million even if you assume that there are 4 viewers per household.