Manchester United have confirmed a multi-year sponsorship deal for their training kit with blockchain platform Tezos.
The Athletic revealed earlier this month that the parties had agreed a deal worth in excess of £20 million per year. The Carrington training ground itself is not included in the agreement.
United’s first-team players and coaching staff will wear the Tezos-branded training kit before this weekend’s Premier League game against Southampton.
It is understood Tezos will also make regular tez donations to the United Foundation.
Victoria Timpson, Manchester United’s CEO of alliances and partnerships, said: “This is a hugely exciting partnership for Manchester United because it aligns us with one of the most advanced, reliable and sustainable blockchains in an area of technology which promises to truly revolutionise the way that everyone, including the club and our fans, can interact.
“We are especially pleased to be partnering with one of the most eco-friendly blockchains, using technology that is energy-efficient, limits carbon emissions and lowers costs, consistent with the club’s wider efforts to promote environmental sustainability.
“Partnerships are at the core of our strength as a club, supporting the drive for success on the pitch, and we are delighted to welcome Tezos as the latest industry leader to join our family of partners.”
Edward Adlard, head of adoption and business development, Tezos Ecosystem said: “Throughout its history, Manchester United has constantly evolved, with the support of its huge and diverse global community of fans and partners. Tezos will enable Manchester United to use blockchain and Web3 to transform fan, player, team, and partner engagement.
“The decision by the world’s greatest football club to select Tezos as its blockchain of choice is further validation that thoughtful design paired with strong security, low gas fees, and community-led innovation are the essential factors driving the next wave of adoption in the new digital revolution.”
United’s previous eight-year £120 million sponsorship contract with American insurance company Aon concluded at the end of last season.
Discussions to replace Aon with The Hut Group were reported to have collapsed when the Manchester-based company pulled out due to concerns about a fan campaign to boycott United’s commercial partners as part of a protest against the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. The team have been operating without a front of shirt training sponsor this season.
United have subsequently held discussions with other companies, including several in the blockchain space, and have now unveiled their deal with Tezos.
Tezos, which is underpinned by the Tezos Foundation, is a blockchain, or a type of decentralised computer network like Ethereum.
To advocates, blockchains like Tezos could be a way to carry out computerised transactions more efficiently than current technology and help to remove expensive middlemen from the process.
Detractors highlight the fact that blockchain transactions require huge computing power which emits carbon.
Tezos, however, presents itself as a more energy-efficient platform. United are understood to have conducted due diligence before agreeing the deal and consider the partners to be credible.
(Photo: Manchester United)
