August 13 – Manchester United’s iconic Old Trafford stadium may soon sport a new name if shirt sponsor Snapdragon pursues its interest in acquiring the venue’s naming rights.
According to The Guardian, the US technology company, which secured a three-year, $225 million shirt sponsorship deal with United last summer, is keen on expanding its partnership by attaching its name to the stadium.
The company already owns the naming rights to the 35,000-seater Snapdragon stadium in San Diego, where United played Real Betis this summer and Wrexham last year.
The club has never sold its stadium naming rights but Don McGuire, Snapdragon’s chief marketing officer, has hinted that a deal may be possible.
“Old Trafford is Old Trafford, it should always be Old Trafford. But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an ‘at’ or whatever [it could happen]. For example, this is Snapdragon Stadium at Bashor Field,” said McGuire.
“We are working very closely with the team on the re-imagination of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint, as well as the Carrington training centre.
“So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger – this shirt sponsorship is pretty big by the way – we are always looking out for opportunities.”
Manchester United are weighing the possibility of constructing a new stadium or undertaking a major revamp of Old Trafford. The push for a new home is being led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is spearheading the project and is pressing for a decision to be made by December.
The news breaks after the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force was created in March to explore options for regenerating the Old Trafford area of Greater Manchester with the development of a world-class football stadium at the heart of the project.
The Red Devils will look to bounce back from a penalty shootout defeat in the community shield with an opening win versus Fulham in the Premier League curtain-raiser on Friday.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1728639757labto1728639757ofdlr1728639757owedi1728639757sni@g1728639757niwe.1728639757yrrah1728639757