If Manchester United‘s jersey sponsors Snapdragon were to purchase the naming rights to Old Trafford, they would probably change the stadium’s name.
The owners of Manchester United are debating building a new arena altogether or making major modifications to the present one, as the deteriorating and outdated Old Trafford is becoming a bigger problem for the team.
Funds must be generated since even the necessary upgrades to the present stadium would be prohibitively expensive, and a new stadium may cost up to £2 billion.
The team is currently in negotiations with one potential buyer for the naming rights to Old Trafford, so that is one avenue they may take to acquire some cash.
This summer, Snapdragon signed a three-year, £180 million contract to sponsor the Red Devils’ shirts, and they’re willing to become involved even more.
Involvement with Old Trafford would be a significant step up from the Snapdragon Stadium that already exists on the San Diego State University campus in the United States.
Don McGuire, chief marketing officer of Qualcomm, the company that owns Snapdragon, stated, via the New York Times, that “Old Trafford is Old Trafford, it should always be Old Trafford,” in reference to the possibility of renaming the football team.
‘But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an “at” or whatever — this is Snapdragon Stadium at Bashor Field [in San Diego] — we are working very closely with the team on the reimagining of Old Trafford from a technology and innovation standpoint, and Carrington).
‘So if that leads to something bigger, where it would make sense for us to go even bigger — this (shirt sponsorship) is pretty big by the way, not inexpensive — but if it makes sense, we are always looking out for opportunities.’
McGuire expanded on how Snapdragon – a company which makes chips and processors for electronic devices – are working on improving both Manchester United training ground, but chiefly fan interaction at the stadium.
‘Fan experiences, connectivity, stadium operations like retail, point of sale, ticket in and out,’ he said.
‘Then there is how fans can be engaged while in the stadium, whether through augmented reality or through their smartphones or devices. And then making United a more state-of-the-art club.’
Manchester United played at Snapdragon Stadium this summer, beating Real Betis 3-2 earlier this month in San Diego.