Man Utd and Liverpool Join Forces over £750m Premier League Plan After Shareholders Meet

Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly united in opposition to a controversial £750m Premier League proposal for centralised pitch-side advertising sales, echoing their previous alliance against league spending curbs[1][4]. The plan, discussed at a recent shareholders' meeting, aims to boost revenue by having the Premier League control 60% of electronic perimeter advertising across all 20 clubs, increasing top-tier commercial partners from seven to ten[1].

Under the framework, generated funds would be redistributed among teams based on various factors, potentially benefiting smaller clubs with limited commercial reach by leveraging the global draw of giants like United and Liverpool[1]. Currently, clubs access five minutes of ad space per match, with three minutes often going to broadcasters[1].

However, the Big Six—including Manchester United, Manchester City, and others—have voiced strong reservations, citing conflicts with existing sponsorship deals, such as a league-wide automotive partner clashing with individual club agreements[1]. One chief executive highlighted these complications during discussions, fueling doubts about the US-inspired model's viability[2].

This resistance mirrors last season's joint stand by United and City, who successfully blocked 'anchoring' rules that would cap wages at five times the bottom club's bill, defeating the measure in November despite initial backing[1]. Manchester United remains open to further talks, but concerns persist among top clubs wary of losing control over lucrative commercial operations[1].

Smaller sides may embrace the idea for new revenue streams, but the proposal faces an uphill battle, with Manchester's clubs at the forefront of pushback. As the 2025-26 season progresses—with Liverpool as defending champions—the debate underscores tensions between collective gain and individual autonomy in the world's richest league[5].

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