Women's soccer poised to grow, Ratcliffe's priorities might hold ManU's women's team back

It is “difficult to grow a product without a strong belief in its long-term return on investment (ROI) and growth potential” over the next 5-15 years, and Manchester United minority owner Jim Ratcliffe “may be overlooking this crucial aspect when it comes to the club’s women’s team,” according to Jenn Nelson of FORBES. During a recent, rare interview with fan magazine “United We Stand,” Ratcliffe said, “There's only so much you can do, and our focus has been on the men’s team.” Nelson wrote Ratcliffe’s approach “risks missing out on a lucrative and rapidly expanding area of revenue” -- the women’s game. Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner believes that the club’s support for the women’steam "extends beyond financial backing.” Skinner: “Support isn’t always finance. Support is actually knowing you’ve got a strategy, and that you’re moving toward it.” According to a 2023 BBC report, the average revenue of the top 15 women’s football clubs in Europe “surged” by 61%. In a Money League study from 2022-23, “all but three of the top 15 clubs saw double-digit revenue growth” -- with ManU’s women’s team ranking second with $8.4M. Nelson noted with a “well-executed growth plan that focuses on fully developing the women’s side,” these numbers are “set to continue growing exponentially.” But if Ratcliffe “continues to prioritize the men’s team while sidelining the women’s side,” he “risks missing out on significant business potential and failing to recognize the future growth of football” (FORBES, 12/16).

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