Asian fans not fazed by Glazer
2005-07-19 10:03
Hong Kong - Far from the hostile reaction seen in Britain, many Asian fans couldn't care less about the Glazer family's controversial takeover of Manchester United.
Hundreds of angry fans mounted a violent protest when Malcolm Glazer's three sons visited Manchester last month and supporters here have been urged to give the US tycoons a cool reception if they appear during the Asian tour which kicks off this weekend in Hong Kong.
But such calls look likely to fall on deaf ears.
"The Glazer takeover only puts me off Manchester United if it affects the players," said Hong Kong-born fan Henry Chien, 32.
"If it doesn't affect the football of Manchester United I don't give a damn about the business side."
Sports promoter
One expatriate sports promoter and "huge" United supporter said: "Asian fans are big fans but they follow the team, not the club.
"They will follow the stars but they seem more detached from it. They're watching it in bars whereas people in England are going to the game and paying £50 a week."
The Glazer controversy has certainly not dented ticket sales here where organisers are hopeful of selling out Saturday's exhibition match against Hong Kong.
"Our Asian tours have been very successful in that we do believe our supporters appreciate the opportunity to see us play and our visits do create more fans.
"This is illustrated by the fact that our fan base continues to grow in the region," said Manchester United communications director Philip Townsend.
All this is good news for the Glazers who are looking to recoup reported post-takeover debt of £500m.
With profits of £27m last financial year, the new owners clearly need to find extra revenue.
As well as raising ticket prices and extending the Old Trafford stadium to 75 600 seats, they will be looking to tap in to United's unmatched Asian fan-base estimated at 40 million supporters.
Develop their brand
"Manchester United have always looked at trying to develop their brand in Asia and that will continue to be part of the strategy," said Harry Philp, managing director of London-based consultancy Inner Circle Sports.
"It's been questionable as to how successful it's been in terms of the revenue it's been able to generate but I think the Glazers will look to continue to develop the brand there."
The Glazers, also owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be hoping to make similar inroads into the US market where United has a joint venture with the New York Yankees baseball team.
"I think Asia and the US are the main markets they're clearly going to target," Philp said. "Clearly with their knowledge of American sports they feel there's things they can do there in terms of commercial development."
Manchester United has courted Asia assiduously over the years with initiatives including a Chinese-language website, club shops, soccer schools and credit cards.
It also supports charities in the region and donated $400 000 to fight human-trafficking in China this month.