Manchester United has made history by securing a sponsor for the back of their shirts in competitive matches for the first time. This sponsorship deal will be in effect for Saturday’s Community Shield match against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
The sponsor, a Microsoft product called CoPilot+ PCs, will have its logo featured on the back of United’s jerseys, underneath the squad numbers. This innovative move is part of United’s broader sponsorship deal with Snapdragon, a subsidiary of the U.S. technology firm Qualcomm. Snapdragon’s sponsorship of United’s jerseys, including the front, is valued at $75 million per year and covers the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the club’s academy kits.
During the pre-season tour in the United States, fans may have noticed Snapdragon’s fireball logo on the back of United’s jerseys. The partnership with Qualcomm allows for the promotion of hardware powered by Snapdragon processors, such as the Microsoft CoPilot+ PCs. This specific Microsoft product will be featured on United’s jerseys at Wembley and in various other matches throughout the season.
Qualcomm’s decision to feature Microsoft’s product on the back of United’s shirts highlights the unique ways in which football clubs are enhancing relationships with their sponsors. The partnership between Qualcomm and Microsoft does not grant Microsoft any rights as a United partner, but rather showcases the product powered by Snapdragon processors.
In addition to the sponsorship deal, Snapdragon will have the option to display a charity’s name on the front of United’s jerseys for one game per season, further promoting good causes. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of both United and Snapdragon to supporting charitable efforts.
Overall, this innovative sponsorship agreement between United, Snapdragon, and Microsoft signifies a new approach to partnerships in football, providing value to all parties involved. The collaboration between these companies not only benefits the clubs financially but also allows for meaningful contributions to charitable organizations.
