While Manchester United may not have enjoyed the same level of Premier League success over the past decade as it did under Sir Alex Ferguson, its global influence has hardly waned.
Despite on-pitch struggles compared to the club’s glory days, United has managed to uphold its brand’s impact worldwide, proving highly profitable. The Forbes 2024 List ranked United as the second most valuable soccer team globally, boasting revenues of $785 million, operating income of $187 million, and a club value of $6.55 billion. Barcelona is third on that list with a value of $5.6 billion.
Liverpool is the fourth most profitable soccer team in the world, boasting a current value of $5.37 billion, with a revenue of $719 million and operating income of $102 million.
Only Real Madrid has outstripped United, valued at $6.6 billion with revenues of $873 million during the reporting period. The Spanish titan is expected to surpass the $1 billion revenue mark when its next accounts are published, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach has injected a dose of optimism into United’s competitive future, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees soccer and strategic matters at Old Trafford, has his work cut out for him. A pivotal decision looms over the potential construction of a new stadium, with clubs like Real Madrid having long since upgraded its home to capitalize on commercial opportunities in today’s game.
The Santiago Bernabeu, for instance, has undergone costly renovations. Now, Real Madrid has edged further ahead of United by inaugurating ‘Real Madrid World’ in Dubai, touted as “the world’s first football club theme park.”
This expansive 15-acre park boasts over 40 attractions themed around the illustrious club, including what is claimed to be the world’s tallest “flying chairs” ride and the Middle East’s first wooden roller coaster. In addition to the rides, Madridistas can watch live matches at the park, which is nestled within the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex -a hub for various theme and water parks. Although officially opened last week, ‘Real Madrid World’ had already welcomed visitors in a soft launch back in April.
Set to dazzle fans, the ‘Hala Madrid Coaster’ and ‘Stars Flyer’, proclaimed as “the world’s tallest spinning ride” at a towering 460 feet, are key attractions in the exciting offering. And for those after a taste of triumph, there’s even a life-size Cibeles fountain replica – the spot where Real Madrid bask in its victories.
Plus, Spanish culinary delights await at the ‘Hala Madrid’ restaurant. This theme park isn’t just another attraction; it’s part of Real Madrid’s strategic play to transition from just a soccer club to an all-encompassing entertainment giant. With a firm stance in the Middle East, the club is tapping into tourist-rich territories while diversifying income well beyond TV rights and match wins – a model United, with its own global influence, might mimic as football entities evolve into multifaceted entertainment hubs.
Source: https://www.liverpool.com/premier-league/real-madrid-worth-liverpool-manutd-30407023
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