Cristiano Ronaldo risks blowing a £25million jackpot
with sponsor Nike if he moves to Real Madrid this summer.
Sportsmail can reveal that
Manchester United, who will report Real to FIFA next week for their
public pursuit of Ronaldo, are working on a complicated image
rights deal with the club's kit manufacturer for a 'CR7' range in
an attempt to appease the winger.
Michael Jordan was the first high-profile name to make a fortune
this way when he launched his range and Tiger Woods has a 10-year
deal with Nike worth £50m. United's non-executive director Bryan
Glazer, who was closely involved with the deal for shirt sponsor
AIG, is in negotiations with Nike over a contract that could be
worth another £100,000 a week to the Portugal winger.
The contract is expected to run concurrent with his existing
£120,000-a-week package at Old Trafford and will effectively top
the £200,000 a week on offer at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo, who has
changed his signature simply to 'CR7', can market baseball caps,
T-shirts and shorts around the world to capitalise on his growing
status.
Nike, who already have an endorsement contract with Ronaldo, are
keen to exploit his name but are reluctant to launch the range if
he moves to 'an adidas club' such as Real.