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Manchester United has filed a US civil complaint against Select Management Resources a marketing representative of online bookmaker MoPlay, seeking $11 million (€9m) in compensation over unpaid sponsorship income.
Sanctioned with Atlanta’s federal court against Select founder Roderick Aycox, Man Utd disputes its 2018 ‘global sponsorship agreement’ with Addison Global the operating company of MoPlay, which maintains Select and Aycox as deal guarantors.
According to the complaint (filed on 20 September), the agreement between Man Utd and Addison included an interest clause for any missed payments worth up to £12 million.
Gibraltar-based Addison, launched its flagship MoPlay brand in August 2018, securing ‘official betting’ partnerships with Man United and Premier League counterpart Watford FC, as Addison stated its intent to establish MoPlay within the saturated UK online betting scene.
Both Man Utd and Watford partnerships have been annulled by Addison. United is alleging that Addison defaulted on the agreement by failing to make two payments of £981,000 and just over £1m on 28 February and 31 May respectively. These payments were part of two instalments which made up a pre-agreed 12-installment plan which was spread over three years.
With the sponsorship agreement seemingly defaulted, there is now a remaining unpaid partnership balance of over £9m plus an 8.75% interest fee which United is now claiming.
The former Premier League winning side is also claiming that the defendants are liable for any costs, including attorney fees.
The civil case comes shortly after the Premier League giants announced a record £627.1m in revenues for the year, with the club also revealing its annual sponsorship revenue has risen to £173m following the signing/renewal of 10 deals.
Despite the annulments to its partnerships with both Watford and United, Addison continues to list Bundesliga side Hertha as an official partner.
