Manchester United crowned Champions, well off the pitch at least.

Words; Ronan Shields

Source: Manchester United, Nike

Manchester United may have just ended a rare pot-less season but can console itself by claiming the accolade of being the world’s most valuable football brand.

This year’s BrandFinance’s Football 50 list valued the Old Trafford team at $853m making it the most valuable football brand on the planet over the course of this last season.

BrandFinance cited a “solid performances on the pitch and great numbers on the income statement” as reasons for placing it at the summit of the list despite its comparatively poor on pitch pursuits, by its own high standards that is.

“Income from TV rights, gate receipts and merchandise all remain strong, providing broad revenue base that spreads risk better than most clubs.

“Man United has huge and long-standing international appeal and is perhaps the most recognised football club brand worldwide, with vast accumulated brand equity,” read a statement promoting the rankings.

However, it goes on to highlight that Fergie and the Glazers cannot rest on their laurels, as Champion’s League runners-up Bayern Munich were valued close behind at $800m. 

The company described how Bayern Munich’s shrewd commercial management and Champion’s League campaign could see the German side, which ranked second in the list, surpass England’s most successful side.

“As Sir Alex Ferguson reaches the end of his career and with the Glazers still paying off debts the club may struggle to maintain the squad they need to stay at the top,” warned BrandFinance.

The Red Devils’ inter-city rivals Manchester City were valued at $302m for the surveyed period, indicating that Sheikh Mansour’s $1.5bn petro-dollar investment is beginning to pay dividends both on and off the pitch.

The English Premiership Champions ranked eight on the list, almost double its value from the previous year.

The newly crowned European Champions Chelsea ranked fifth on the list at $398m just behind London rivals Arsenal with a valuation of $338m.  

In a sign that brand value of a nation’s leading football clubs can be viewed as a bellwether for the global economy, the Southern European giants of Italy and Spain did not fare so well.

According to the reports La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid’s respective brand value dropped considerably during the period, despite El Classico being one of the box office top draws of world football.

Reflecting La Liga table, Real Madrid finished ahead of Barcelona with a value of $600m, in third place, immediately ahead of their Catalan rivals with a $580m valuation.

David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, said, “This year’s study shows that even football isn’t immune to the Euro Crisis, with Spanish and Italian teams being hit hardest.”

AC Milan was the top-performing Serie A side in ninth place with a valuation of $292m making the San Siro side the only top-ten ranking brand from outside England, Germany and Spain. A fill list of the sides ranked 21-50 is below.

Manchester United may have just ended a rare pot-less season but can console itself by claiming the accolade of being the world’s most valuable football brand.

This year’s BrandFinance’s Football 50 list valued the Old Trafford team at $853m making it the most valuable football brand on the planet over the course of this last season.

BrandFinance cited a “solid performances on the pitch and great numbers on the income statement” as reasons for placing it at the summit of the list despite its comparatively poor on pitch pursuits, by its own high standards that is.

“Income from TV rights, gate receipts and merchandise all remain strong, providing broad revenue base that spreads risk better than most clubs.

“Man United has huge and long-standing international appeal and is perhaps the most recognised football club brand worldwide, with vast accumulated brand equity,” read a statement promoting the rankings.

However, it goes on to highlight that Fergie and the Glazers cannot rest on their laurels, as Champion’s League runners-up Bayern Munich were valued close behind at $800m. 

The company described how Bayern Munich’s shrewd commercial management and Champion’s League campaign could see the German side, which ranked second in the list, surpass England’s most successful side.

“As Sir Alex Ferguson reaches the end of his career and with the Glazers still paying off debts the club may struggle to maintain the squad they need to stay at the top,” warned BrandFinance.

The Red Devils’ inter-city rivals Manchester City were valued at $302m for the surveyed period, indicating that Sheikh Mansour’s $1.5bn petro-dollar investment is beginning to pay dividends both on and off the pitch.

The English Premiership Champions ranked eight on the list, almost double its value from the previous year.

The newly crowned European Champions Chelsea ranked fifth on the list at $398m just behind London rivals Arsenal with a valuation of $338m.  

In a sign that brand value of a nation’s leading football clubs can be viewed as a bellwether for the global economy, the Southern European giants of Italy and Spain did not fare so well.

According to the reports La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid’s respective brand value dropped considerably during the period, despite El Classico being one of the box office top draws of world football.

Reflecting La Liga table, Real Madrid finished ahead of Barcelona with a value of $600m, in third place, immediately ahead of their Catalan rivals with a $580m valuation.

David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, said, “This year’s study shows that even football isn’t immune to the Euro Crisis, with Spanish and Italian teams being hit hardest.”

AC Milan was the top-performing Serie A side in ninth place with a valuation of $292m making the San Siro side the only top-ten ranking brand from outside England, Germany and Spain. A fill list of the sides ranked 21-50 is below.