An interesting new media juxtaposition If proof were needed that, for all the good computers do in our lives, you should always have a fully functioning human nearby to cast an eye over things... You can almost imagine ESPN Soccernet's keyword advertising system getting all overexcited. "Ooh, ooh, they typed Manchester Unted.

Moving away from tomorrows League game against Bolton. Here's a couple of pics which should get some fans laughing - take a look at this. From Redstate: Manchester United is arguably the largest sports team in the world and its team shirt is recognized just about everywhere. Emblazoned on the front is the logo of the team's [.

Off the Post had a clever idea for Liverpool.
But did you hear who's actually financing the Manchester United show? The U.S. gov't.
With AIG failing, Uncle Sam stepped in to give the financial backing it needed. So how about a little 'stars and stripes' badge on the Red Devils kit.

AIG sponsorship of Man Utd in jeopardy

AIG is in a financial mess and is asking the Feds to pony up a $40 billion loan to stave off credit agencies downgrading its stock which will bring it a step closer to bankruptcy or to the preferred takeover. With the Feds deciding against bailing out Lehman Brothers and leaving the company to file for bankruptcy, there is no sure bet that AIG's lifeline will be met.

Football must be a pretty good way to advertise your company. We all know that Emirates sponsor Arsenal, AIG sponsor Manchester United, Samsung at Chelsea and Carlsberg at Liverpool. But did you know that Beko sponsor Watford or Fraser Eagle sponsor Accrington Stanley? Just how much money is to be made by sponsoring or advertising [.

A reader* wrote in with the suggestion that I post something about the U.S. government's takeover of AIG, since AIG sponsors Manchester United. I originally didn't want to because I don't really understand the whole AIG/giant economic meltdown. But Kevin Drum doesn't understand soccer and still posted on it, so I suppose I will write something.

News broke yesterday that our current shirt sponsor, AIG, who took over from the contract Vodafone cancelled the season before we won the league, were in trouble. Their stock fell by 61% and it wasn't looking good for the company, whose collapse could have massive effects on the global financial system.

"George Bush today defended the US central bank's decision to bail out giant insurer AIG and sought to reassure markets that his administration was intent on confronting the growing crisis.
The AIG rescue was the fourth taxpayer-funded bailout of the year by the Bush administration, although it is at odds with Bush's free-market ideology and economic policies.

I keed. I keed. But the dominoes falling on wall street have diverted my attention away from the game I love so much lately.
The failings in New York have been so unbelievably epic that it's hard not to pay attention, and I have yet to find how AIG's collapse and subsequent bail out by American taxpayers will impact their sponsorship of the Red Devils.

Not as far fetched as it seems. The AIG shirts that they wear, the most overt symbol of the club, are now owned by the US government to the tune of 80%. Paradoxically, in the most capitalistic sports market, the Man U players are now the poster boys of the socialization of risk.

I do hope Topps Tiles aren't hit by the recession.
It's not because I am particularly wedded to tile manufacturers.
But looking around the various teams, the other sponsorship logos are disappearing at a fast a furious rate.
West Ham have had to 'cover up' after their sponsor XL went to the wall.

After this week, the WCR Top 25 will go through its most radical change of the season.  The reason for this is that until each club in a given domestic league has played five matches, the prior season's results are factored in to preserve some sense of continuity and to give the new season time to mature.

Not that I'm excited about the prospect of a global financial meltdown and a Second Great Depression, but how awesome is it that Manchester United's shirt sponsor looks like it will be the next to implode? As I just read on the Blogs:
The message is loud and clear: AIG is toast.
The Weevils could well be running around with shirts that say PANIC!

This weekend West Ham had to cover up their sponsors logo because the company went bust, could Manchester United be the next team to have to do this? Manchester United's sponsors AIG according to... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

With the American markets in shambles after Lehman Brothers Chapter 11 filing, AIG's current credit issues and Merrill Lynch's current sale to Bank of America, the world of American finance could not be in a worse situation than it is right now. For Liverpool's American ownership, this is probably the type .

When Manchester United signed on with AIG is the biggest shirt sponsorship contract in footballing history, the move was seen as vindication of Manchester United's position as the most marketable football brand in the world. Today we read about the difficulties the insurance company faces and there is genuine concern that AIG will go belly-up.

2000li yıllarada pek de fazla ayırdında değildik endüstriyel futbolun. Ve dolayısıyla onun getirilerinin. Bu nedenle Galatasaray'ın UEFA Kupası'nı kazandıktan sonra ne gibi fırsatları kaçırdığını çok sonra anladık. Kısaca kazanılan iki Avrupa Kupası nakit akışına kaynak olarak kaydırılamadı.

With the demise of West Ham's official shirt sponsor, travel firm XL, and Man United's equivalent, AIG, asking New York state for a multi-billion dollar loan to 'stabilise its finances' (give that one a try next time you meet your bank manager), you might be wondering whether the sponsors of any other Premier League clubs are about to go to the wall.

Man U and Hammers shirt sponsor deals are under threat. It will be interesting to see if consumer spending declines hit gate takes. There some brave faces being put on but AIG isn't going to be providing money to Man U anytime soon.

The Financial Times: "The panic in the world credit markets reached historic intensity [on Wednesday] prompting a flight to safety of the type not seen since the 2nd World War."
Why aren't any of the agents of capitalism attempting to justify their noxious belief in "free markets" now?
There is no such concept in Reality as a free market, there never has been and there never will be.