3 May 2013

Record sales revenue reported by United

1:26 pm on 3 May 2013

Manchester United reported a record £91.7 million in sales for the third quarter helped by sponsorship deals and Champions League revenues.

But earnings were hit by wages and operating costs and the club reported a pre-tax loss of £3.1 million.

The club said its quarterly wage bill had risen to £45 millio, up 25% from a year ago.

United is owned by the Glazer family in the United States and listed in New York last year.

The BBC reports commercial sales grew 32% in the third quarter compared with the same period last year.

Sponsorship deals brought in £21 million for the club, an increase of 52%. Revenue from retail, merchandising and mobile devices also grew.

The club signed three new deals during the quarter, with Gloops, a Japanese social gaming firm; Ekspress Bank of Denmark, a Danish financial services firm; and BIDV of Vietnam.

Broadcasting revenues jumped 28.4% year-on-year to £21.7 million.