Aon Restructure Manchester United Deal

August 1, 2012

Aon P.L.C. will become the title sponsor of Manchester United’s Business Network and the Manchester United Foundation, the broker and football club announced Tuesday.

The announcement came one day after Manchester United announced that Chevrolet would replace Aon as the club’s shirt sponsor beginning in the 2014-2015 season. Aon is the principal sponsor of Manchester United.

The business network is an organization “where sponsors, global executives and heads of state can gather to discuss critical issues in the economy such as global risks, cross-border trade, supply chains, energy resources, talent, health care, high-performing teams and diversity—all in the context of a shared interest in the world’s global game and the world’s No. 1 team,” said the two organizations in a joint statement.

The Manchester United Foundation is devoted to educating, motivating and inspiring future generations to “build better communities for all,” according to foundation’s website. “The Foundation works in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the U.K. using football to change young lives for the better.”

“The first phase of our partnership, which continues into 2014, was focused on uniting our firm and the colleagues in it while reinforcing the brand of Aon,” said Aon CEO Greg Case said in the statement announcing the new deal. “The second phase is intended to continue this momentum but with even more of a focus around clients and communities. We are very excited about continuing this new dimension of our partnership with Manchester United over the long term.”

“One thing Aon and Manchester United understand is the need to use different strategies to reach different objectives—and both of us are very focused on achieving objectives,” said Manchester United CEO David Gill in the statement. “Aon continues to be everything that any business could want from a partner with strong relationships at every level within our business—and we look to build similar relationships with Aon and their prospective clients for years to come.”