I can see it now...
PL: "We're sorry Company X with your £70m per year turnover. You can't sponsor City for £150m per season over 5 seasons."
Company X: Why not? It's our money & we want the global exposure City can afford us.
PL: Because the Red Top Mafia & Spuds say it's not fair on them, as they can't get this level of sponsorship to compete. So unless City can show two other companies willing to pay within 10% of your sponsorship offer too, your deal is kiboshed.
Company X: Get the fuck outta here with your bullshit!
City: Company Y & Company Z from the Middle East offered £140m & Company X beat their offers.
PL: A hah, BUT we've now got associated party P&S Rules!
City: And?
PL: Well if you've ever met the executives from Company X, or they come from the southern hemisphere like City's owner, we class this as an associated party.
City: Have you forgotten we're the English, European & World Champions, with several businesses wanting to benefit from out success? We'll see you in court you fuckin planks!
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IREF will be watching this blatant attempt at stymiying competition & protecting the Cartel club's with keen interest. If this associated party bollocks was rolled out across the UK & globally, the global business trade would be fucked! Why do football see themselves as a special case?
As an aside, before our sponsorship hook up, I'd never heard of Nexen Tire, but only last week I was being given budget, midrange & premium replacement tyre options & I zoned in on Nexen purely because of their association with City.
Their tyres are midway budget, so I didn't go beyond researching them, but if price was the only issue, you're damned right I'd have opted for their brand. If for nothing else, Nexen Tire's success financially helps City.