Man City to test Fair play rules

[Suarez]

So then how can they sell the naming rights for an asset they don't own??

[RichC]

There is no way this will get past UEFA. They'll have no problem excluding City from the CL. This deal stinks to high heaven and will inevitable draw complaint's by the big boys compliant with the FFP rules. How on earth can a club like City fairly aquire £400m naming rights to their stadium. It's a ****ing joke.

I think UEFA have shown that they're not exactly an organisation with a high moral standing! They'll do what's best for them and a few large brown envelopes of cash will most likely mean this will be a non issue for them .

[Alex]

I look at it like this:

We will probably be looking to sell the naming rights in a few years too. We can then use this deal as being the market rate, especially if UEFA pass it. So if anything all it will serve to do is put football teams in a stronger position to demand more money. I doubt teams will get the same level as Man City. But it certainly helps other teams to point to them as an example.

[Exiled_red]

I look at it like this:

We will probably be looking to sell the naming rights in a few years too. We can then use this deal as being the market rate, especially if UEFA pass it. So if anything all it will serve to do is put football teams in a stronger position to demand more money. I doubt teams will get the same level as Man City. But it certainly helps other teams to point to them as an example.

But whatever UEFA decide everyone will know that it's dodgy, you could ask for similar but it's doubtful that any company (not associated with the club) would be willing to put up that kind of money.

[Neil Young]

Clearly £400million is a ridiculously inflated figure, nothing like the true market rate.

[Assassin]

Manchester City have scored an embarrassing own goal after inadvertantly 'honouring' rivals Manchester United by renaming Eastlands the Etihad Stadium. The Arabic word 'Etihad' means 'United' in English.

[kingfunk]

there as ****ed as each other those mancs!

[Craig_H]

I think it means 'unity' rather than 'United'. Close enough though

[Mostar]

I'm still puzzled how they will ever make money on this project of theirs. It's a losing cause. No fan base except limited local support, no global appeal, no history etc.

This looks more like little more elaborate money laundering scheme and nothing more.

[kingfunk]

I dont think the bought mcfc to make money, I see it as a massive advertising tool for them.

[wavydavy]

There is a limit to what they(City) can achieve IMO. Sure, megabucks can get you a lot but this footy business is a far more complex thing than maybe they realise. They stumble from one huge signing to the next without any real plan amassing a huge array of big names and even bigger egos. Mancini and subsequent managers will go as soon as they hit a bad patch and they don't have a big profile worldwide. Anything connected with Middle East megamoney always strikes me as tacky, contrived and shallow and City are no exeption. FWIW they really don't bother/worry me long term.

[Mostar]

I dont think the bought mcfc to make money, I see it as a massive advertising tool for them.

To the point that they need to invest close to £1b in a short time frame to make themselves more visible

Their marketing team sucks then big time as they could have done much better job to get visibility they supposedly badly want

[kingfunk]

The will get most the money they invest back, just because they invest 1b, when they get to where they want to be, it doesn't make them worth £0.

[Craig_H]

The will get most the money they invest back, just because they invest 1b, when they get to where they want to be, it doesn't make them worth £0.

How???

[Craig_H]

There is a limit to what they(City) can achieve IMO. Sure, megabucks can get you a lot but this footy business is a far more complex thing than maybe they realise. They stumble from one huge signing to the next without any real plan amassing a huge array of big names and even bigger egos. Mancini and subsequent managers will go as soon as they hit a bad patch and they don't have a big profile worldwide. Anything connected with Middle East megamoney always strikes me as tacky, contrived and shallow and City are no exeption. FWIW they really don't bother/worry me long term.

I'm really not sure how you reach your conclusion though. If United spending megabucks and then Chelsea doing so - and both winning ****loads via this route, how do you conclude that City wont?

In time, of course they will.