Manchester United Secure Biggest Shirt Sponsorship Deal in History

Manchester United have once again demonstrated their financial pulling power by securing the biggest shirt deal in football history. They have secured a four year contract worth £80m with Aon Corporation, the American financial giant, which will replace AIG as the club's shirt sponsors from the start of the 2010-11 season. The deal comfortably eclipses the £68m four year agreement that Bayern Munich have with T-home, the telecommunications firm, and dwarfs United's existing £56.5m contract with AIG. It is believed that United received a strong bid from a betting company, which enabled them to drive a competitive race among three to four suitors, said to include Standard Chartered. Beyond the £20m a year rights fee, the deal provides for Aon to pay commissions to the club from the sale of insurance policies to its fan base plus match-related bonuses. This should yield an extra £5m a year. Greg Case, president and chief executive if Aon, said United's presence in Asia was important, just as it was for AIG. The deal is a first cry from United's first shirt sponsorship with Japanese electronics firm Sharp. Its initial five year partnership was worth £500,000. It hit the big money with a four year £30m deal with Vodafone struck in 2000.