Snapdragon, Manchester United’s shirt sponsor, would be interested in exploring any opportunity to help fund the club’s new stadium by buying naming rights.
The tech company has replaced TeamViewer as United’s front-shirt sponsor this season after agreeing a three-year deal worth £180 million ($230m).
United are open to the possibility of selling naming rights to their new stadium — either a brand new venue or a redevelopment of Old Trafford—and Snapdragon would be interested if the opportunity arose.
“Old Trafford is Old Trafford; it should always be Old Trafford,” Don McGuire, chief marketing officer of Snapdragon’s parent company, Qualcomm, said.
“But if there is a brand attached to that in some way, shape or form, powered by someone, an ‘at’ or whatever … this Snapdragon Stadium at Bashor Field.
“We are working very closely with the team on the re-imagination of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint, as well as Carrington.
“So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger — this [shirt sponsor] is pretty big by the way, not inexpensive — but if it makes sense, we are always looking out for opportunities.”
Sources indicate that Manchester United’s task force, which has been assigned to oversee the stadium project, has tentatively proposed constructing a new 100,000-seat stadium on land located behind Old Trafford.
A final decision on this proposal is not expected until the end of the year.
This option is also preferred by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new co-owner.
The club has stated that all funding options are being evaluated for the project, which is anticipated to span approximately six years and exceed £2 billion in cost.
While the potential sale of naming rights is under consideration, Manchester United has emphasised that no decisions will be finalized without first consulting with their supporters.