Manchester United explores Hollywood-style retelling as media strategy evolves
Manchester United has struck a deal with Lionsgate to produce a TV series chronicling the club’s history, another thoughtful step in the modern monetization of football’s legacy. As first reported Competitora concept that reflects Netflix’s narrative-driven approach crownapplying feature-length drama to institutional heritage rather than purely documentary visits.
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From a financial and strategic perspective, the proposal lies at the intersection of brand development, intellectual property control and risk management. United will not open their training ground doors or expose their current squad to cameras. Instead, they are licensing history, an asset they already have that resonates globally.
Photo: IMAGO
The business logic behind TV series
Unlike documentaries that visit all areas, the scripted series provides a more predictable commercial framework for United. According to reports, “a deal has been agreed that would see United receive millions of pounds in guaranteed money if the show is produced and sold”. This wording is important. Development risk is largely borne by Lionsgate, while United’s downside is limited.
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From United’s perspective, this is typical low-volatility revenue. There will be no disruption to football operations, no impact on weekly filming schedules, and no involvement of existing staff. Royalties shared with Lionsgate expand with success, adjusting incentives without impacting operations.
It also enables United to monetize an era that remains commercially strong, from the Busby Babes and the Munich air disaster to Sir Alex Ferguson’s dynasty. These stories already exist in the public domain, but dramatizing them allows clubs to participate financially rather than just observe.
Editorial control and reputation balancing
One unresolved issue is editorial influence. The report states that “it is unclear at this stage the extent to which Manchester United has extensive editorial control and approval of the series”. This uncertainty is important. United’s history is littered with relegations, ownership disputes and, post-2013, chronic underperformance.
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Yet the drama thrives on tension. If United had the power to negotiate rather than veto, the club could allow authenticity without damaging reputation. Audiences expect nuance, not sanitization. From a valuation perspective, a credible image can enhance, rather than diminish, brand depth.
Jed Mercurio has been described as a “childhood Manchester United fan” and his involvement demonstrates an attempt to strike a balance between narrative tension and institutional respectability.
Background of withdrawing copy trading
This development should be viewed alongside United’s recent exit from Amazon Prime’s “all or nothing” style documentary. The deal, worth more than £10m, was abandoned due to concerns over invasion and timing following the Europa League final defeat.
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Scripted historical series avoid these pitfalls entirely. This also explains why previous negotiations with Disney and Amazon have stalled. The documentary requires signatures from living stakeholders, including Ferguson and former players. Drama does not require such consensus, only rights permission.
From an economic perspective, United is moving from visit-based revenue to profile-based utilization. This reflects clubs’ growing awareness of the costs of operational disruption.
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Long-term brand value impact
Although Manchester United has long failed to dominate domestically, it remains one of the most recognized global brands in football. The high-quality scripted series reinforces this status for new audiences who may have never seen the club lift a Premier League trophy.
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Lionsgate’s track record of quality dramas and sports-themed projects suggests the production values will match the ambition. If successful, the series will become a long-tail asset, generating royalties, renewed interest in merchandise and greater participation in international markets.
Crucially, this approach separates football decisions from the business story. As one source in the report put it, the discussions were held by people who “wanted to remain anonymous to protect their position,” underscoring the sensitivity of combining entertainment with elite sport.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a United fan’s perspective, the sentiment surrounding this report is mixed, but mostly positive. We are proud to see the club’s story being deemed worthy of a prestigious series. Few football institutions have a history spanning tragedy, dominance, celebrity and controversy in the same way.
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Backers will appreciate that this project focuses on the past rather than the present. After years of turmoil on the field, fans are understandably wary of anything that interferes with rebuilding a competitive team. The collapse of the Amazon Prime deal showed welcome restraint, especially given Ruben Amorim’s discomfort with the invasion.
Scripted series feel safer. It imbues the stories of the Busby Babes in Munich in 1968 and 1999 with emotional depth rather than dry nostalgia. Many fans grew up on these stories, being passed down rather than seeing them firsthand. It’s important to see them taken with dramatic seriousness rather than marketing gloss.
People worry about the description of ownership. The Glazer era remains divisive and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s changes are still unfolding. Most supporters will accept an honest depiction, as long as caricature is avoided. Fans value authenticity over protection.
Ultimately, it feels like a club that has finally learned how to commercialize itself without compromising football priorities. If done right, it could remind the world why United are so important, while giving fans a renewed sense of an identity that has sometimes felt distant in recent years.
