Manchester City Sign New Stock Trading Partnership
The cross town rivals may have jumped the US stock exchange, but Manchester City have signed a new deal with a stock trader. City stocks in the future?
There are very few major clubs that are owned by the fans. Barcelona is likely the most famous team that allows their fans to have as much of a voice as they do. This week Manchester City announced a new partnership with iTrader.com as the club’s official stock trader.
Of course Manchester United was the first EPL club to dive into that market. Since that date their stock has risen and fallen, but done neither in a dramatic fashion. United didn’t start a revolution of fan ownership in England, but it seemed like more of a commercial deal to begin with.
Now to be clear the deal with iTrader.com is a commercial partnership as well. As the club stated in the release. “We are delighted to welcome iTrader.com to the City family. Our mutual vision of performance and integrity makes them a perfect partner for the Club and we look forward to working together throughout the season and beyond.” stated Damian Willoughby, senior VP of partnerships for City Football Group.
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But that begs a few questions. Would City consider opening up a part of the club ownership to fans? Would fans purchase Man City stock? Most likely those answers are no and yes.
Even if fans didn’t have a vote on management choices, people around the world would quickly buy up all available City stock. Just to own a part of the team would enough, even 0.0001%.
As City looks to grow the brand, it would be an interesting idea to offer fans the chances to get more involved. Perhaps allowing them to vote on kit designs or something visible, but not crucial.