Despite all the bad things Manchester United could have been passing through this season, it is still the biggest soccer brand not only in England but all over the world and it proved again when media highlighted the possible mounting bid from sports equipment manufacturer Nike to rename its home ground. Yes, according to some media reports, the long running interest from Nike has now turned into the reality as United owners have agreed to sell the rebranding rights of their flagship Old Trafford stadium to a new name that would consist the name of its sponsors, and according to some insiders, the price tag that has been fixed for the same is mounting one billion pounds for a twenty-year contract. This could be a brilliant news for financial planners of the league defender if it is true, coz this handsome amount can be used to shell off their debts or to buy more high profile players for the next season. But, unfortunately, club and its owners have refused to accept any truth in these rumors as they have no plan to sell rebranding rights to anyone no matter how big the deal could be.
Though, this refusal has been made using a public platform but close sources to the club are not counting on these eye-washing denials coz if Glazer can think of selling the whole club then why he won’t like to encash out of home ground? However, there is no one who is completely denying or accepting the stories being run on the news channels since the story that published in The Forbes in the late 2012, had no factual support to their claim that someone would have to pay around 30 million pounds a year if he wants to rename the flagship home ground. United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward affirms over American owners earlier statement that they can never think of Old Trafford in another outfit.
He said last December, “It’s important that Old Trafford is Old Trafford. The Glazers are actually very traditional in their views. People have asked us the question, asked us if we would consider. We won’t.” Apart from owners, many notable legendries have also denied of having a truth in the stories that club has agreed over a deal to rename its home ground. Sir Bobby Charlton, who has been one of most successful players, had also said in 2011 “I can only say that it’s not our policy to change the name of Old Trafford. It’s too important.”