Apple reportedly might buy Manchester United FC

by Jonny Evans · Published November 24, 2022 · Updated November 24, 2022

We don’t yet know if this speculation is true or false.

We’ve long been telling you that Apple’s interest in sports entertainment will go deep, now it looks as if the company may even purchase its own football club, according to UK mainstream media reports.

Apple said to consider Manchester United FC purchase

UK dailies The Daily Star, Express and Mail have all published claims that Apple may acquire the club in what’s being described as a £6 billion ($7.2b) deal.

Apple are considering acquiring the club from current owners, the Glazers, who are thought to be seeking a buyer for the club, following months of protests by fans who blame them for the club’s decline.

So, to summarize the claims:

Apple CEO, Tim Cook is reportedly keen to explore the opportunities of ownership.
Plans include building a stadium that would become the best in the world.
Talks will begin with banks to oversee the sale.
This would be the costliest acquisition in football history.

What this might mean

This would make the club the richest in the world, and would no doubt give Apple a big say in football in the UK and Europe, a platform from which to develop its own presence in sports entertainment, and a chance to reinvent the game. Apparently, part of the plans in discussion include investment in a world-class new stadium built up to Apple’s degree of architectural finesse.

What Man U said this week

“Manchester United plc. one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club,” the club said in a statement earlier this week.

“As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company.

“This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.”

Ted Lasso scores again

Is this for real?

There are no guarantees any such a deal would go through. It is also quite possible this speculation is flawed and there may be no truth in these claims.

Finally, even if talks do take place, Apple has no experience in managing a football team, so the investment may turn out to be too great a risk for the firm.

While I think this speculation is very interesting, I remain sceptical at this time – but do note that Apple’s Sunday Ticket football negotiations seem to have taken quite a long time.

Though it is also possible Apple has been expressing its interest in a slightly subtle way ever since it invested in hit TV series, Ted Lasso.