Manchester United expand TV footprint into the South Seas
By Mark Baber
October 3 – Manchester United has announced a three-year agreement with Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL)’s Fiji TV to bring MUTV to the South Pacific for the first time.
Premier League
Malaysian tourism’s £7m sponsorship of Cardiff questioned in parliament
By Mark Baber
September 30 – Questions have been asked in the Malaysian parliament has about the £7.35 million sponsorship of Cardiff City by the Malaysian Culture and Tourism Ministry. Opposition MP Hee Loy Sian, revealed that the Malaysian taxpayer will stump up £3 million for the 2013/2014 Premier League season sponsorship of the Welsh club, owned by Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan (pictured).
Manchester City and Liverpool in race for cyber-domination
By Mark Baber
September 27 – Manchester City Football Club has expanded its global social media presence by launching ten new international Twitter accounts whilst, 27 miles away, Liverpool has outlined further plans to expand its global digital offering.
Profits dip, costs rise as Gunners aim for glory, but cash is still available
By Mark Baber
September 24 – Arsenal’s accounts for the year ending May 31 reveal a fall in profits, rise in turnover and a significant cash reserve, a chunk of which has since been spent on the signing of Mesut Ozil as the North London club seeks to reap the rewards of years of financial prudence.
Venky’s post a record £27m loss at Blackburn but say funding is secure
By Mark Baber
September 20 – Venky’s London Ltd (VLL), parent company of English Championship side Blackburn Rovers, and owned by the Indian family has recorded losses of over £27 million in the past financial year.
Red Devils play their Gulf cards in UAE and Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
September 19 – Manchester United have made inroads into the Gulf market by announcing two regional deals, one with Commercial Bank of Qatar and the other with Emirates NBD Bank.
Man Utd reports record financials and focuses on US as land of opportunity
By Mark Baber
September 19 – Manchester United Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2013 Earnings Conference Call reinforces the club’s impressive growth figures, whilst demonstrating the club sees the USA as a land of opportunity.
Clubs drop ticket prices to keep fans, but Spurs still costs double Man City
By Mark Baber
September 13 – A survey of clubs has found average ticket prices across English football’s top four divisions have fallen by up to 2.4%. There remains a large differential between clubs, with Tottenham fans paying a minimum of £49.26 per match for a season ticket, programme, pie and tea – compared to just £24.34 for a Manchester City fan.
Premier League season-ticket sales set new record for 2012-13
By Mark Baber
September 11 – According to figures collated by the English Premier League, last season’s season ticket sales at both junior and adult level achieved new records.
FA spurred to issue warning over use of Yid term
By Mark Baber
September 10 – The English FA are discouraging the use of the word ‘yid’ which derives from the Yiddish word for Jew, but which has been used in a derogatory and offensive way by anti-Semites. Despite the word’s origin and its use as a badge of honour by Tottenham fans, the FA has said it “is likely to be considered offensive by the reasonable observer.”
Former PL chief hits out as English FA asking if ‘they really want to govern’
By Andrew Warshaw
September 9 – Former Premier League chief executive Rick Parry (pictured) has issued a damning indictment on the governance of English football saying the Football Association is too weak and antiquated and has been left behind.
Premier League clubs set to smash summer spending record
By David Owen
August 30 – Summer transfer spending by Premier League clubs is set to surge to record levels in coming days, triggering concerns that the latest TV bonanza risks being frittered away rather than used to strengthen club finances.
Man City denies any interest in Aussie link up, but confirms Heineken renewal
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – Manchester City have dispelled rumours that they are poised to expand into Australia by purchasing A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers.
Man Utd look to open up Indian sub-continent, others will follow
By Andrew Warshaw
August 27 – India could represent the next major market for the world’s leading clubs to promote themselves, according to Manchester United who have just signed a three-year partnership with high-performance manufacturers Apollo Tyres Ltd. Last week’s high-profile announcement between the two parties was one of the first initiatives between an Indian multinational and a global football brand and United’s group managing director Richard Arnold says it could act as a precedent for rivals to follow.
Paddy Power bets on Arsenal as SBOBet sign Saints for Asia
By Mark Baber
August 23 – Arsenal Football Club has announced betting company Paddy Power as its Official Betting Partner in the UK, Ireland and Italy for the next three years.