Man. United reports sponsorship revenue of £160.1 million in record-breaking year

Manchester United plc's (NYSE:MANU) 2016 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results show that they achieved record total revenue of £515.3 million and a record operating profit of £68.9 million.

In a financial year in which they won the FA Cup for a record-equalling twelfth time and appointed José Mourinho as manager, they secured fourteen sponsorship deals, comprising six global sponsorship partnerships, five regional sponsorship partnerships and three financial services, MUTV and telecom partnerships.

They initiated a partnership with adidas on 1st August, 2015, achieved a successful launch of new kit, brought the management of the Old Trafford Megastore in-house and signed several licensing deals, including Sbenu, New Era and Columbia.

Ed Woodward, Executive Vice Chairman, commented: "Our record Fiscal 2016 financial performance reflects the continued underlying strength of the business and the Club is on target to achieve record revenues in 2017, even without a contribution from the Champions League.

"This strong financial performance has enabled us to invest in our squad, team management and facilities to position us to challenge for, and win, trophies in the coming years".

Excerpts from the Revenue Analysis

  •   Commercial revenue for the year was £268.3 million, an increase of £71.4 million, or 36.3%, over the prior year.

  •   Sponsorship revenue was £160.1 million, an increase of £5.2 million, or 3.4%, over the prior year.

  •   Retail, Merchandising, Apparel and Product Licensing revenue was £97.3 million, an increase of £65.7 million, or 207.9%, over the prior year, primarily due to the commencement of the new agreement with adidas from 1 August 2015, which included a step-up in minimum guaranteed revenues and the contribution from several business previously operated by Nike.

  •   Mobile and Content revenue was £10.9 million, an increase of £0.5 million, or 4.8%, over the prior year.

For the quarter, commercial revenue was £65.2 million, an increase of £19.3 million, or 42.0%, over the prior year quarter.

  •   Sponsorship revenue was £37.6 million, an increase of £2.3 million, or 6.5%, over the prior year quarter.

  •   Retail, Merchandising, Apparel and Product Licensing revenue was £24.9 million, an increase of £16.6 million, or 200.0%, over the prior year quarter.

  •   Mobile and Content revenue was £2.7 million, an increase of £0.4 million, or 17.4%, over the prior year quarter.