Kieran Maguire reveals £12m Man United finance problem amid threat from Premier League HQ
The dedicated Man United TV channel is running at a £12million annual loss.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Red Devils’ exclusive in-house media team.
Per the Daily Mail last Sunday (29 May), the Premier League could be set to hand broadcasters even greater access to clubs.
United may soon be contractually obliged to let TV cameras into their training base, or even the dressing room on matchdays.
It is understood that there is broad support for the initiative across the top flight with the exception of the so-called big six, who feel they can monetise their own content.
Maguire explained why United would see the news from Premier League HQ as a threat.
“Man United have MUTV, which has not been as successful as the club would have liked,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“The production costs and level of subscribers means it is not a particularly profitable product. But the one thing they can offer is additional access to players and management.
“If the Premier League are going to muscle in on that territory, you can understand why there is so much pushback. The clubs want to protect what they consider to be their intellectual property.
“MUTV lost £12m in 2020-21. There was a bit of sleight of hand with that because that recharged other parts of the United empire to break even, but its operating costs were £19m and its income was only £7m.
“They have always kept it going in the hope of one day selling their own rights and having the infrastructure in place. But it’s another example of Glazernomics.”
In other news, pundit suggests Eric Bailly may be next out at Man United as mass exodus continues.