Inside Manchester United’s Billion-Dollar Worth: From Legacy to Ownership Drama, What Fuels Their Global Clout?
Red Devils Empire
Few football clubs command global recognition and financial clout quite like Manchester United. Known for their rich history, packed stadiums, and international fanbase, the Red Devils have long been a cornerstone of football’s ecosystem. But just how much is Manchester United worth, and what does the future hold for this iconic institution? A revolution with ideas for a new stadium.
Manchester United’s Worth
If you’re curious about how much Manchester United is worth in 2024, it’s estimated to be around $6.55 billion, making it one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. This valuation reflects not only its on-field success but also its commercial empire, which includes sponsorship deals, merchandise, and a massive fanbase.
Manchester United is always up there in club rankings of value. However, they are slightly outdone by Real Madrid, who is valued at $6.6 billion, making them the most expensive soccer club in the world. As far as Manchester United is concerned, they run England, though. Manchester United’s valuation is driven by legacy, as the club is one of the most successful soccer clubs in the world and has a long history of success and being the best.
Publicly Traded
Manchester United is one of the few soccer clubs publicly traded on the stock market. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the club’s share value has experienced ups and downs in the market, usually following the team’s performance on the pitch. When Manchester United has a good season and performs, the stock follows, trending upwards. When they are not doing so hot as they have been lately, the stock drops, as it has this year.
At the start of 2024, Manchester United’s share value hovered around $20-$25 per share. Recent talks of a potential sale have heightened investor interest, with the valuation soaring amid reports of bids reaching $7 billion from interested parties in the Middle East. As of December 2024, Manchester United is only worth $16 a share. Their market price is down 16% this year, as the team has failed to turn around from a poor performance last season.
Manchester United initially went public in 2012 at an initial offering of $14 per share. Now, over a decade later, the share price is up 19% but is still down over the last five years with a lack of top-level play by the club and lost interest in ownership decisions to prioritize money over performance.
Manchester United’s Owner
The Glazer family has been the majority owner of Manchester United since 2005. Their buyout of the club was controversial, burdening the organization with significant debt. Despite the backlash from fans, the Glazers have remained in control, overseeing a period of substantial commercial growth for the club.
However, the Glazers’ ownership has often been a point of argument, particularly regarding their perceived focus on profit over soccer success. In February 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS, purchased part of the club from the Glazers. What this means is that essentially INEOS will be in control of Manchester United’s operations, but the Glazer family remains in charge overall, meaning they will continue to pursue profit for the club.
It seems the main issue is that the Glazer family treats Manchester United as a business, which it technically is, rather than a soccer team trying to win. I guess the Glazer family could be compared to Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, the American football team. The Cowboys are the most financially successful NFL team, but they have failed to make waves on the field for a long time now, not winning a Super Bowl since 1996.
Recent Woes
Manchester United has had a horrible start to the 2024-2025 season, which is not the way they wanted to start after finishing 8th in the Premier League in 2023-2024 with a record of 18-6-14. They allowed 58 goals and scored just 57. That was the first time Manchester United allowed more goals than goals in a season since the 1989-1990 season.
Manchester United finished first in the Premier League 13 times in 21 seasons from 1992-2013, meaning they are now in the worst spot they have been in in 30 years. Fans have a right to be upset with ownership, but with INEOS taking over the operations, there’s a chance the club will turn things around and find more success shortly, according to the latest odds available at BetUS Sportsbook.
Either way, Manchester United continues to be one of the most financially successful sports franchises in the world, and their impact on the economics of soccer is unmatched by few other clubs. By now, we will wait for the upcoming great plans by the new owners.
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