The Daily Mail have reported that Manchester United will lose out on a £25 million sum from kit sponsor Adidas if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
United currently have the second biggest sponsorship deal in the Premier League, with only Liverpool’s £80 million contract Nike deal above them.
Manchester United to Lose Out on £25 Million if They Finish Outside Top Four
£75 Million a Year Deal
The partnership between Adidas and United started in 2015 as a ten-year deal worth £750 million. At the time it was the biggest and most lucrative kit deal in the world.
The deal came after their previous kit sponsors Nike ended their relationship with the club.
It was a steep rise in sponsorship money for the club, who were receiving just £23.5 million a year with the deal from Nike.
However, a clause in the contract means United will miss out on 33% of next season’s sponsorship money if they finish outside of the top four this season.
The £50 million that they would end up receiving would be a sum below what Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all receive.
Battle for Top Four
Until earlier in the week, fifth place would have got United into next season’s Champions League. However, after Manchester City’s two-year Champions League ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, fifth place will now only get you a spot in next season’s Europa League.
With three games to go Manchester United currently sit in that fifth spot in the league. They were favourites to finish the season in the top four until Monday night when a late Southampton equaliser meant United would only drop points for the second time since the Premier League restarted.
However, top four is still in United’s hands. They sit below Leicester City on goal difference, with the teams set to face each other on the final day of the season. Maximum points in their last three games will secure a Champions League spot for the Red Devils next season, meaning they will receive the full amount of sponsorship money.
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