Manchester
DisUnited: And the Business of Soccer, by Mihir Bose (2006)
MANCHESTER United is the most valuable soccer brand in the world - globally huge as far as the Far East: the world's richest club, with the highest turnover, the biggest profits, the widest fan base and, recently, the best players and the greatest success on the field.
But of late the business hit vicissitudes and even crisis. Its star player, David Beckham, was sold to Real Madrid in Spain. Its record buy, the prodigiously talented young Wayne Rooney, developed an unenviable disciplinary record.
Then the club - a listed Stock Exchange plc - succumbed to a controversial takeover by Malcolm Glazer, the American tycoon who bought the football team in Tampa and turned them into champions.
Their shirt sponsor, Vodafone, withdrew its support, Manchester United were eliminated from the Champions' League and high-spending Chelsea have usurped their position at the top of the Premiership. Even their hallowed manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, found his position under question.
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