The independent looks at how Glazer will affect united
Ticket Prices
United recently made themselves unpopular by announcing steep rises, up to 27 per cent, for season tickets. But most observers believe this remains the most obvious area for Glazer to squeeze. United have previously kept prices down to £25-£30 per match, well below the £40-£50 charged at the top London clubs. Glazer is reported to have increased ticket prices at his NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in every season since he took over in 1991.
Merchandise
Supporters expect Glazer's need for cash to be so pressing that he will raise the price of everything at Old Trafford, from car parking to stadium tours, merchandise to prawn sandwiches.
TV Income
Of great concern to the whole of football. United are committed to selling their TV rights as part of the Premier League's "collective" deal, currently £1.1bn for 2004-07. Sharing 50 per cent of the money maintains a degree of competition in a very unbalanced League, but Glazer is expected to want to pull United out, to sell its own TV rights, which would earn more for United, but fundamentally damage English football.
Commercial Revenues
Glazer believes he can make more from United's sponsorships, but United have a landmark £303m deal from Nike, with much of its 13 years to run, and lucrative arrangements with Nike, Vodafone and Budweiser. David Gill, the chief executive, has based his commercial strategy on these multinationals taking United into new markets. Whether Glazer can do better remains to be seen.
Overseas Sales
The goose which has not yet laid its golden egg. Glazer believes United's and the Premier League's global appeal can be translated into cash. United have tried this, opening stores in the Middle East and Far East, but like other clubs, found fans in developing countries not liable to stump up £40 for a replica shirt which can be easily copied.
Fc United?
A fascinating possibility, bubbling under. The fans, ultimately, do not have to accept Glazer. Back when BSkyB bid for United in 1998, many fans hatched a plan to form their own club, FC United, and start again, true to their own footballing values. Their will, and abilities, should not be underestimated.
Glazer has his financial backers, who clearly believe the money is there to repay them, but United's board, seeing the same plan, clearly calculated it was over-ambitious and speculative. Now, to the dismay of United's fans, we get to find out.
