Religare in sponsorship talks with Manchester United

Premier football club Manchester United, currently looking for a replacement to its principal sponsor AIG, is in talks to rope in the country's integrated financial services provider Religare as an Indian sponsor.

While firms like Pepsi and McDonald's are said to be in the race to be roped in as global sponsors, sources said the club had initiated discussions with Religare as well.

Man United's four-year 56.5 million pound deal with AIG, which started in 2006, is the biggest-ever shirt sponsorship deal in English football. However, AIG is pulling out of the deal with one of the world's most famous soccer clubs, whose players include Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

The soccer club, whose other existing sponsors include Nike and Smirnoff, is also said to be in talks with a couple of other corporate houses in India, such as Sahara and Reliance-Anil Ambani groups.

The deal is estimated to be worth at least Rs 100 crore per year, depending on the valuation of existing deals signed by the club, sources said, but added that it would be discussed only at the later stage of talks.

Religare Enterprises' Group CEO and MD Sunil Godhwani was not available for comment.

Brand and Corporate Communications Director Subhrangshu Neogi also declined to comment on talks with Man United, but said, "Religare as a brand is always open to association with sports and is constantly evaluating opportunities to take the brand to the next level in sync with the group's plan to create a globally scalable business of excellence."

"Sports, which is all about diligence and discipline fits well with Religare brand image, which is driven by core value of diligence. Religare uses sports strategically to connect effectively with its target groups," he told PTI.