Kieran Maguire: £42m Tottenham deal could be hijacked by Man United as government step in
Tottenham could see their sponsorship deal with the South African tourism board hijacked by Man United.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the failed shirt sleeve sponsorship between Spurs and South Africa.
Tottenham announced at the start of February that they had signed a three-year shirt sleeve sponsorship deal worth £42.5million with the South African tourism board.
However, the Daily Mail revealed that the partnership was scrapped after it sparked outrage in South Africa due to the country’s ongoing struggles with power blackouts and water shortages.
Footage then emerged on social media of a Man United shirt with ‘Visit South Africa’ branding emblazoned on it, and Football Insider sources revealed earlier this month that the video footage showing the sponsorship was authentic.
Maguire believes the global appeal of Man United could allow them to “hijack” the deal but warned that the South African tourism board will have to be “very cautious” about agreeing to a partnership.
“It looks as if the Spurs sponsorship deal with ‘Visit South Africa’ has been vetoed by the country’s parliament,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“I think the South African tourism board will have to be very cautious before attempting to reignite interest in a Premier League shirt sleeve sponsor.
“But if that is the case, Man United would be in a strong position to hijack the Spurs deal given their global fanbase and wide appeal.
“Being associated with that has merit from an advertising and commercial point of view.“
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