I think it’s a measure of the stature of City these days - we are the team everyone (that isn’t affiliated already) wants to see, support and talk about, especially the younger generations.
Therefore it’s natural that advertising (not sponsorship) leeches off of our name for free.
The still surprising thing is that the media is churning out article after article about the has-beens united… they are clearly chasing the biggest part of their audience, but it’s an audience bred in the past, and is ever dwindling, but they are so blinkered they just can’t see it. Switching to a City focused narrative would alienate their remaining audience, so plummeting their figures.
Meanwhile City (PR) continue to roll-up new fans with different and imaginative engagement for non affiliated fans and young fans alike - it might not appeal to myself (almost a FOC), but that’s not the demographic that spends money freely.