Manchester United have approached Indian company Tata Group, about a potential shirt sponsorship deal.
The club’s existing shirt sponsor, AIG, said in January that it would not be renewing its deal beyond May 2010. AIG’s deal is worth $100 million over four years. The US insurance company has been badly hit during the economic crisis and has required four separate US government bailouts to date.
Reuter reports that a brand consultant with knowledge of the Tata Group said of the latest news, “It's reasonably right. There are various sponsorship options, one for the team shirt. This has been going on for some time but nothing has been finalised.”
The Tata Group, which has interests in steel, cars, IT, communications, energy, tea and hotels, is one of the sponsors of the Ferrari Formula 1 team.
Other firms linked with the Manchester United shirt sponsorship have included Indian conglomerate Sahara Group, Malaysian budget airline AirAsia, Saudi Telecom and British insurer Prudential.
