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#4 Barcelona (Rakuten - 2017-18 to 2021-22) — $324 million
Barcelona has had a couple of shirt sponsors in the past decade. Their brilliant form during the late 2000s and early to mid-2010s has made their iconic 'UNICEF' and 'Qatar Airways' kits a part of their history books.
Soon after the 2016-17 season Barcelona's deal with Qatar Airways ended. Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and online retailing company, signed up to be the Catalans' shirt sponsor then.
The initial deal was agreed to be for four seasons with the option to extend it for another year. However, Barcelona have been dealing with a lot of internal conflicts and losing out on the face of marketing and promotions in Leo Messi. Hence Rakuten has reduced the money on their final year's deal.
The team has been slammed with another crisis as seemingly they will be without a shirt sponsor by the end of the season.
#3 Manchester United (TeamViewer - 2021-22 to 2025-26) — $325 million
No matter what Manchester United's form is, it never seems to affect the club's brand value. Such is the club's reputation all around the world. Cristiano Ronaldo's return meant it wasn't difficult for Manchester United to find new sponsors after the end of the Chevrolet deal. This is because Ronaldo is arguably the most marketable footballer ever.
However, the new deal meant the Old Trafford-based club are enduring a deficit of about £17m per year. This is in comparison to their record partnership with Chevrolet. Nevertheless, the club has announced that the deficit could be easily met with time.
Manchester United's managing director Richard Arnold said:
"We are tremendously proud to be establishing this partnership with one of the most exciting and dynamic global software companies. The ability to connect and collaborate has never been more important to the world and our community of 1.1 billion fans and followers."
#2 Tottenham Hotspur (AIA - 2019-20 to 2026-27) — $400 million
Tottenham never had a long-term shirt sponsorship deal until the AIA. The Hong Kong-based Multinational Insurance and Finance Corporation agreed to a seven-year deal with the London club.
The lengthy deal was agreed upon with the sum of $400 million. This makes the Spurs-AIA deal the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in the Premier League right now and second-most overall.
The appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo in the summer had given the club, its sponsors and fans new hope. Especially after the team defeated Man City 1-0 in the season opener. However, the team failed to build on the same form and stumbled as the season progressed.
As of now, with Antonio Conte at the helm, the team's stakeholders believe the club will climb up the ranks.
#1 Real Madrid (Emirates - 2017-18 to 2021-22) — $413 million
With being all-time UEFA Champions League record holders and all-time La Liga title winning record holders, Real Madrid's reputation precedes itself. Real Madrid are arguably the most famous, revered and looked upon club in the world.
The same has led to Los Blancos never having to struggle to find shirt sponsors. The aviation company has been the club's official main sponsor since 2011. A record deal between Real Madrid and Fly Emirates has reached its final year.
However, it's most likely that the duo would extend their partnership and break the current record which is worth $413 million.
