adminLONDON — Bayern Munich may have been demolished by eventual winners Real Madrid in the Champions League soccer semi-finals but they are superior to the Spanish giants in one respect as they are the world’s No. 1 football brand.Real were once the most valuable football brand on the planet but suffered during Spain’s recent economic crisis and at one point fell to third — although the 10-time European champions are back up to second. Bayern, who Real deposed as kings of Europe, are Germany’s biggest club and won the Bundesliga with a record points total. They now have a value of £531m.
Having earned their 10th European triumph, Real now lead all English Premier League teams in the brand table for the first time since 2010.
Manchester United’s brand value has fallen following the club’s dismal English Premier League campaign under David Moyes last season.
Having lead the way as football’s most valuable brand for several years, their 2014 value of £439m sees a drop by nearly £60m in a single year after finishing seventh following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement last year. To make matters worse for United, the Brand Finance table shows local rivals Manchester City have gained on their rivals — climbing from eighth to fifth following their second English Premier League title win.
City also lifted the Capital One Cup and their brand value, which is is rapidly growing, now stands at over £300million.
After the club’s owners launched a partnership with the New York Yankees and New York City MLS franchise last year, the blue half of Manchester have already set about expanding across the globe.
Atletico Madrid, who lost the Champions League final in extra-time, broke the long-standing Real-Barcelona duopoly in Spain this season by landing the La Liga title and have seen their brand value surge. Diego Simeone’s men now sit 19th in the table. French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain edged into the top 10 of the Brand Finance 50 for the first time, having won their second consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Having agreed a £50m deal with Chelsea for Brazil defender David Luiz and already boasting world-class players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club from the French capital have seen their brand value almost quadruple in just a year. The club’s continuing relationship with shirt sponsor Emirates and a new deal with Chinese tech giant Huawei suggests they will continue to expand.
In terms of the English Premier League, Arsenal won the FA Cup this season and are ahead of Chelsea in sixth place. Tottenham remain 12th while Everton edged into top 20, climbing 13 places since last season. Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle all made it into the top 30. Fulham’s relegation to the Championship saw a 36 per cent drop in the club’s brand value and they are now clinging on to their place in the top 50. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter