April 23, (THEWILL)- Manchester United are in talks with the US entertainment behemoth, Disney, over a multi-million-pound deal to create documentaries centred around the club’s golden era under legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sources privy to the confidential negotiations reveal Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, could gain substantial interview access to the 82-year-old Scot and archival footage spanning his 26-year tenure, which yielded a staggering 38 trophies.
The proposed docuseries would delve into the secrets behind United’s dominance, offering insights from club ambassadors like Bryan Robson and Peter Schmeichel. However, Ferguson and his former players must formally agree, and United would retain editorial control, mirroring previous club documentaries. While terms are still being negotiated, Disney’s current offer falls short of their initial proposal a couple of years ago.
United’s pursuit of diverse revenue streams is driven by a need to remain competitive amidst Financial Fair Play regulations and funding for an ambitious stadium revamp. Rival Amazon recently unveiled a trailer for a separate docuseries on United’s 1998/1999 treble-winning campaign, celebrating its 25th anniversary, though the club gains no direct financial benefit.
Disney’s football storytelling chops, exemplified by the hit series “Welcome to Wrexham”, have captivated global audiences. Nonetheless, their United discussions have not extended to live, behind-the-scenes access during a season, unlike Amazon’s “All or Nothing” collaborations with Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester City. Liverpool is also filming a Jurgen Klopp documentary.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
