Manchester City rise while Man United fall to lowest yet in brand value rankings


Ian Oxborrow
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English Premier League winners Manchester City have overtaken Barcelona and now have world football's second best brand value, according to a new study.

City were runners up behind Uefa Champions League and La Liga winners Real Madrid in Brand Finance's Football 50 2022 report.

The report said City's brand value had increased 19 per cent to just over €1.3 billion ($1.39bn), placing them just ahead of Barcelona, whose value was up 5 per cent to a little under €1.3bn.

Brand value refers to the present value of earnings specifically related to brand reputation.

"Brand Finance’s 2022 football fan research shows that the Manchester City brand has grown in perception and following, scoring highly in metrics such as ‘the club is ambitious’ and ‘the club has a global following’," the report said.

City were named the highest revenue-generating club in the Deloitte Money League for the first time in their history, and Brand Finance said the club's high revenue "can be credited to their continued on-field performance in the 2022 campaign ― winning the English Premier League and reaching the 2021 European Champions League Final and 2022 semi-final".

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said this week that the club have emerged from Covid-19 in a robust financial position and are now ready to go "from strength to strength".

Rivals Manchester United fell to fifth place in the rankings — their lowest yet, as they ended the season with their lowest Premier League points total, although their brand value did rise by 11 per cent.

"Despite failing to qualify for the European Champions’ League group stages as well as a long run of poor form on-field, Manchester United are still able to record growth in both brand value and brand strength, reverting a three-year decline in value," the report said.

"Following the announcement of the European Super League last year, United were one of the six English Premier League clubs who lost brand value as a result. This year’s brand valuation shows that United have substantially recovered their previous brand strength, and still remain strong among international audiences."

Real Madrid recovered from a 10 per cent slump last year amid Covid-19 uncertainties and weaker fan sentiment as a result of the floundering plan for a European Super League.

Its brand value rose 19 per cent in the past year to €1.5bn, driven by a combination of improved brand strength and a positive revenue trajectory.

"Real Madrid are now clearly the dominant brand in the global football business," said Hugo Hensley, head of sports services, Brand Finance.

"For four years, they have been the most valuable brand thanks largely to their business success off the field. However, their continued success on the field has delivered them the brand double, and they are now also the world’s strongest football brand. Even opponents recognise, respect and admire the reputation of Real Madrid."

Middle East investment and sponsorship is prominent among the top 10 teams.

Manchester City are owned by Abu Dhabi's City Football Group, while Paris Saint-Germain are owned by Qatar Sports Investments. Real Madrid and Arsenal meanwhile have sponsorship deals with Dubai's Emirates airline. Outside the top 10, Emirates also sponsors 17th-placed AC Milan, 35th-placed Olympique Lyonnais and 48th-placed Benfica.

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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Updated: May 30, 2023, 7:42 AM