Manchester United Approached Dyson for Kit Sponsorship in 2008
- Manchester United approached Dyson: In 2008, Manchester United formally approached Dyson about becoming their main shirt sponsor, as revealed by a letter from then commercial director Richard Arnold.
- Proposal included a bespoke shirt: The proposal to Dyson included a Manchester United shirt featuring the Dyson logo, showcasing how the sponsorship could look.
- Dyson declined the sponsorship: Despite the offer, Dyson did not become Manchester United's shirt sponsor, with AIG remaining the main sponsor until the end of the 2009-2010 season.
Shirt collector and Man Utd fan Swoosh1968 has shared some interesting material that confirms that Manchester United formally approached Dyson regarding a potential main shirt sponsorship in 2008.
Manchester United 2008 Dyson Kit
The letter, dated 20 January 2008 and signed by then commercial director Richard Arnold, outlines discussions with a “select group of companies” to become the club’s principal shirt partner. It highlights United’s global reach and positions the front-of-shirt sponsorship as a “rare and high-profile opportunity.” A bespoke Manchester United shirt featuring the Dyson logo was included as part of the proposal package.
The accompanying image shows the Nike United 2007-2009 home shirt with a “Dyson” sponsor print, presented in a formal sponsorship folder.
AIG was Manchester United's main sponsor back then, until the end of the 2009-2010 season. Dyson ultimately did not become Manchester United’s shirt sponsor, but the documents provide rare insight into the club’s commercial negotiations during that period.
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Should Manchester United & Dyson have partnered back in 2008, and how different would that sponsorship have looked compared to what followed? Let us know in the comments.
