GLOBAL – Bayern Munich retains its spot as the worlds most valuable football brand, followed by current UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid.
According to the Brand Finance Football 50, Bayern, the 2013 Champions League winners, claimed the top spot for the second year in a row.
The Brand Finance Football 50, released May 26, is an annual study conducted by brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance. Football’s biggest clubs are put to the test to determine which command the most powerful and valuable brands.
The study revealed that Bayern snagged the top spot last year from Manchester United, which dipped to second place in 2013 and dropped even further to third this year, overtaken by Real.
“In 2013, Brand Finance anticipated the likely dip in [Manchester United’s] performance and prestige resulting from Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, allowing Bayern Munich to claim the top spot,” Brand Finance said in a press release. “With just such a nightmare season having come to pass this year, United’s value has fallen further; the 2014 brand value of $739m is down $98m on last year, its AAA+ brand rating has slipped to AAA and it has fallen into 3rd place as Real reaps the rewards of Champions League victory.”
Ranking fourth following Man U is Real rival FC Barcelona, which retained its rank from 2013. Rounding out the top 5 is Manchester City, which leapt from its 8th place ranking in 2013.
Top Brands
The study also revealed that Emirates is the biggest football sponsor, backing six clubs: Real Madrid, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain FC, AC Milan, Hamburger SV, and Olympiacos FC.
Meanwhile, Adidas emerged as the most popular football kit brand among the Brand Finance Football 50, supplying football kits for 21 of the 50 teams, followed by Nike, which supplies for 16 teams.
Manchester City owner and UAE deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour is the richest football owner, and FC Barcelona has the biggest Twitter following, with 11.6 million followers.
For more details on the most valuable football brands, follow this link, or view the Brand Finance Brandirectory.
