MUMBAI: Manchester United has taken complete ownership of its in-house television channel Manchester United Television (MUTV) by acquiring the one-third minority equity stake held by BskyB (Sky).

MUTV is now a wholly owned group subsidiary.

As part of the club?s long-term digital media plans, Manchester United has made the strategic acquisition of Sky?s stake in MUTV in order to own 100 per cent of the content production and distribution capabilities of this business.

MUTV was launched in 1998 as a three-way joint venture, with UK broadcasters ITV and Sky as equal partners. Since then, MUTV has developed considerable in-house expertise and Manchester United bought ITV?s one-third equity stake in November 2007.

According to the club, the latest acquisition is a natural progression and is indicative of the club?s desire to have full control of the content generating and distribution capabilities across all of its businesses.

MUTV is available in 57 countries around the world. It is accessed in the UK and Ireland by subscription on satellite and cable platforms, and in the rest of the world through a combination of subscription or as programming blocks purchased by international broadcasters.

Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold said: "The acquisition of Sky?s stake is great news for all our fans who watch us around the globe, MUTV, its staff and the club. We look forward to continuing to enhance our media proposition and distribution capabilities in the years to come, and delivering some of the best and most compelling content to our 659 million followers.

MUMBAI: Manu Sawhney, the managing director of ESPN Star Sports (ESS) till Star took over the joint venture, will join soccer club Manchester United as a director next month.

Sawhney?s role will involve making the Manchester United brand even bigger and helping it expand globally.

Manchester United raised $233 million and recently listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

This announcement coincides with the start of the Barclays Premier League. In the previous season the club narrowly missed out on being crowned champions due to a goal difference.

Sawhney has been with ESS for 16 years, having served in India as managing director before he moved to Singapore as the MD of the 50:50 joint venture between News Corp and Walt Disney.

MUMBAI: English football club Manchester United has emerged as the world?s most valuable sports team, according to Forbes report on the top 50 valuable sports teams around the world.

Man-U, which has filed for a $100 million IPO on Nasdaq, has been valued at $2.23 billion ahead of Spanish club Real Madrid, which is at No. 2 with a value of $1.88 billion.

Incidentally, all 32 National Football League (NFL) franchises have made it to the top 50 list with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and New York Giants making it to the top 10.

Seven Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have earned spots in the top 50 list with New York Yankees making it to the top 10 with a value of $1.85 billion.

Only two NBA teams, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, have made it to the top 50 list while none of the National Hockey League clubs figure in the list dominated by professional clubs from US.

As many as four NFL teams have entered the top 10 table besides two teams from MLB. Joining Man-U and Real Madrid in the top 10 list are Spanish club Barcelona at No. 8 list and English club Arsenal at No 10 spot.

The top 50 list has two Formula One racing teams, Ferrari with a value of $1.1 billion, and McLaren valued at $800 million.

Forbes Top 10 teams:
1. Manchester United (soccer) - $2.23 billion
2. Real Madrid (soccer) - $1.88 billion
3. New York Yankees (MLB) - $1.85 billion
4. Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - $1.85 billion
5. Washington Redskins (NFL) - $1.56 billion
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) - $1.40 billion
7. New England Patriots (NFL) - $1.40 billion
8. Barcelona (soccer) - $1.31 billion
9. New York Giants (NFL) - $1.30 billion
10. Arsenal (soccer) - $1.29 billion