Man City news: Finance guru delivers ‘£3bn’ takeover reveal after legal warning fired
It would cost a prospective investor £2.9billion to buy Man City – so it is no wonder that they are very protective over their brand.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about City’s latest episode of legal drama.
The Daily Mail reported last Wednesday (16 February) that City have issued a cease and desist notice to a Chilean club with an eerily similar crest.
Santiago City, who play in the Chilean third division, are accused of misleading marketing that suggests they are part of City Football Group.
Plumley argues that City’s intellectual property is key to their brand and ultimately to the overall worth of the club.
“It’s brand protection,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“It’s difficult to put a number on the value of the brand but you would put a number on the value of the club and work from there.
“The club is valued at around $2.9bn. Brand awareness is an intangible aspect of that.
“That brand is connected, not just to Man City, but to other clubs in the City Football Group. So it doesn’t just hurt Man City, it hurts the global operation.
“When it comes to things like pirate merchandise, that’s really difficult. How do you shut those operations down?
“They will do as much as they can but the wider angle here is difficult to get a handle on.”
City Football Group have a portfolio of 10 clubs worldwide.
Santiago City have not yet taken steps to alter their badge.
In other news, ex-Fifa referee claims Harry Kane winner against Man City should have been disallowed as new Tottenham controversy emerges.