UEFA Champions League

Manchester United will lose more than £20m from adidas if they miss Champions League

Published Dec. 9, 2016 1:06 p.m. ET

Ryan Rosenblatt

Manchester United's massive contract with adidas will take a big hit if they miss the Champions League this season. The deal calls for a 30 percent cut in the Red Devils' annual £75 million payday -- which is £22.5 million -- if the club fails to make the Champions League in consecutive seasons. Because United missed out on the top four a year ago, keeping them out of the Champions League this season so another miss and the clause in their adidas deal kicks in.

"There is a clause in the Adidas contract that applies if we are missing from the Champions League for two years in a row," United's chief financial officer Cliff Baty told the BBC.

The good news for Manchester United is that they don't lose the £22.5 million all at once so it's not like their wallets get lighter in a single day. Instead, the money is taken out of their pay over the course of the remainder of the 10-year contract.

Manchester United sacked Louis van Gaal after missing out on the top four a year ago and hired Jose Mourinho. But Mourinho have gotten off to a slow start this season and are currently in sixth place, but they do play fourth place Arsenal this weekend. If they win, they can get within three points of the Gunners.

Missing the Champions League carries a heavy financial penalty for any team. Not only do they miss out on the money that UEFA pays out to teams in the competition, but also all of the money that comes from the extra matches, exposure and spotlight. For Manchester United, there's more than that, though. There's another £22.5 million on the line. And potentially another £22.5 million next year too because this is about consecutive years so it's about losing money this season and also about being in position to lose money again next season.

MORE FROM FOX SOCCER

Get more from UEFA Champions League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

UEFA Champions League

English Premier League