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Manchester United has inked a new sponsorship partnership with Qualcomm that will see the company’s Snapdragon brand replace TeamViewer on the front of the club’s iconic jerseys. The agreement will go into force for the 2024-25 season.
The contract’s terms have not been disclosed, but it will be the largest jersey deal in soccer history, according to a person familiar with the transaction who was not authorized to speak publicly. Real Madrid’s current top deal is a $75 million-per-year partnership with Emirates. The new agreement is also worth higher than the $80 million per year that General Motors was paying prior to TeamViewer.
A representative for Manchester United declined to comment on the terms.
In 2021, United inked a five-year contract worth £47 million per year—$59 million at current currency rates—with German business software startup TeamViewer. In late 2022, the two sides “reached a mutually beneficial agreement” for United to acquire back the rights, with TeamViewer retaining as a sponsor in a reduced capacity until the end of the partnership.
Man United agreed to a pay cut as part of the TeamViewer deal in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic because GM had previously paid $559 million over seven years for Chevrolet to be the front-of-shirt sponsor.
Manchester United and QUALCOMM become partner
Qualcomm became a global partner of Manchester United in July 2022, and Snapdragon was the presenting sponsor of the club’s summer tour in the United States in 2023. Snapdragon will be the shirt partner on both the men’s and women’s teams’ home, away, and third kits under the extended partnership. Snapdragon processors are used in smartphones, PCs, gaming devices, and wearable devices.
This arrangement followed a 10-year extension with Adidas to remain the team’s clothing manufacturer through 2035, with a minimum value of £900 million. It is the Premier League’s largest deal, on par with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Last year, commercial revenue accounted for 44% of United’s total and is a vital component of the club’s financial strategy in order to invest in players and comply with financial fair play standards.
The Glazer family has not provided any current information on the team’s sale process. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have both submitted bids for more than $6 billion and are still waiting to see if the family will sell the club.
United was evaluated at $5.95 billion by Sportico in January, making them the most valuable soccer club in the world, ahead of Real Madrid ($5.23 billion) and Barcelona ($4.95 billion).
