Manchester City FC becomes the world’s most valuable football brand, ending Real Madrid’s four-year streak at the top Manchester City FC (brand value up 15% to £1.29 billion) has achieved an historic milestone by surpassing Real Madrid CF (brand value down 3% to £1.26 billion) as the world’s most valuable football club brand. The club’s brand value has been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic and has now reached an all-time high. Manchester City FC also boasts the highest revenue in this year’s table, a key driver in its ascent to the top. Every year, leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the biggest brands to the test, and publishes over 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries. The world’s top 50 most valuable and strongest football club brands are included in the annual Brand Finance Football 50 2023 ranking. Manchester City FC’s enormous revenue is largely attributable to its continued on-pitch success, this season securing the Premier League and FA Cup trophies and beating Real Madrid 4-0 on the way to set up a second Champions League Final in three years. The club’s successes in major tournaments have generated enormous broadcasting revenues, including a massive prize pot from its Champions League progression – the continued European success boosting international exposure and prestige, and commanding greater sponsorship and commercial appeal. Back on the club’s home turf, a planned £300 million upgrade of the Etihad Stadium is the next step in bolstering the club’s commercial success. The stage is now set for the highly anticipated Champions League final on June 10th, in which Manchester City FC will face FC Internazionale Milano (brand value up 5% to £439 million). A historic Champions League win for Manchester City FC would tick off the final objective in an extraordinary journey initiated by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour, who took over the club in 2008. Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, commented: “Manchester City FC has achieved an extraordinary feat by surpassing Real Madrid to become the champion of football club brands. For five years, the City team has exerted its dominance in English football, securing four Premier League titles in the past five seasons. However, the club’s performance in this year’s ranking highlights that Manchester City FC are performing off the pitch in terms of building a strong brand and attracting fans and sponsors, and setting the stage for what could be an iconic Champions League final against Inter Milan in June.”
one of Australia’s most celebrated indie artists DOPE LEMON returns with the announcement of his fourth album, Kimosabè to be released Friday, 1st September via BMG. The news is paired with the release of the suave titular single produced by the artist himself. Inspired by cult-classic Step Brothers, this new track is co-written by Will Ferrell & Judd Apatow as well as being built around a sample from the iconic film. Stream single ‘Kimosabè’ here. Watch the video here. Pre-Save album Kimosabè here
‘Kimosabè ‘is a divine and open-armed universe, boasting ethereal and mesmerising soundscapes, that transcends the status quo. It’s the first DOPE LEMON album that reveals the face of Angus Stone, the project’s brainchild, on its cover. He comments: “This record is everything that’s me. In the past, the artwork has been anonymous in a way because I was trying to explore these styles, and having this shield in front of me was beautiful –I could sort of slink around in the shadows and wouldn’t have the public make judgement on the person behind it. This record, I had moments of clarity reflecting on my childhood,and I was able to see where I want to be in the future. So putting myself on the cover just felt right.”
Brimming with temperate melodic guitars and palliative drums, the title track is another effortless offering, complemented charmingly by DOPE LEMON’s sedative voice. The charismatic bass line allows the song to flow seamlessly, as the sultry production emits a tranquil atmosphere, embracing listeners in a laid-back manner. Guided by a jovial funky strut and apt lyrics –”don’t go f*ck with my vibe”–the song’s motive and personality provide perception for the upcoming record.
DOPE LEMON has gained extensive support from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, DIY Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, and NME. His discography has been Shazammedover 501,000 times in the past three years and has received over 14, 000 radio spins across the globe, with support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, iHeart Australia and KCRW, amongst a plethora of others. And the accolades don’t stop there, with David Letterman personally selecting Dope Lemon’s ‘Marinade’ as the theme song for the new series of his hit Netflix Show My Next Guest.
2023 is shaping up to be a huge year in the live arena for DOPE LEMON, with several dates scheduled throughout Europe, UK and USA, including festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Rockwerchterand Best Kept Secret. UK tour dates below:
UK TOUR
JUN 13 – Albert Hall. Manchester
JUN 14 – 02, Glasgow
JUN 16 – Beyond The Pale, Ireland
JUN 18 – ST Agnes Summer Sessions, Perranporth
JUN 19 – Outernet, London
JUN 21 – 02, Oxford
JUN 23 – Tramshed, Oxford
Jun 24 – Chalk, Brighton
DOPE LEMON’s new single ‘Kimosabè’ is out now – Stream it here. Watch the video here
The upcoming album ‘Kimosabè’ is due for release September 1st 2023- Pre-Order the album