Man City Reach Settlement With Premier League Over Sponsorship Rules

Man City have settled their latest legal dispute with the Premier League over Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, clearing the way for a new, long-term sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways worth up to £1 billion.

Man City and Premier League End Legal Dispute

The row centred on the Premier League’s rules governing sponsorship deals involving companies linked to club owners.

Manchester City had argued that the regulations were unfair and discriminatory, claiming they distorted competition and treated shareholder loans differently from sponsorship agreements.

The club issued a legal claim earlier this year, following an earlier tribunal ruling in October 2024 that declared the initial APT framework “void and unenforceable.”

A new version of the rules was introduced in response, which City challenged again in March.

On Monday, however, the Premier League informed clubs that the dispute had been resolved without another tribunal.

In the settlement, Man City accepted that the revised APT rules are valid and binding, while receiving assurances that they will not face different treatment when negotiating deals such as their Etihad agreement.

Both sides released a joint statement confirming the arbitration had been terminated and that “neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment.”

#ManCity have accepted the Premier League’s new ATP rules and have received assurances that they will not be treated differently when securing sponsorship with companies linked to their owners.

Manchester City are now able to complete a hugely lucrative, long-term deal with… pic.twitter.com/oqn9seWSbS

— City Report (@cityreport_) September 8, 2025

What Are APT Rules and Why Do They Matter?

Associated Party Transaction rules were introduced in 2021, shortly after the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, with the aim of preventing inflated sponsorship deals that could undermine financial fair play and distort competitiveness.

For City, these regulations became a sticking point after the Premier League blocked Abu Dhabi-linked sponsorships, including a proposed extension with Etihad Airways.

The league had argued those deals did not represent “fair market value.”

The previous Etihad agreement, signed in 2011, was worth £400m over ten years.

The new deal is expected to be worth far more, potentially hitting the £1bn mark, and will significantly boost the revenues of the eight-time Premier League champions.

Man City’s Claims of Unfair Treatment

City argued that APT rules created a double standard by exempting shareholder loans from the same level of scrutiny applied to sponsorships.

The club pointed to Arsenal, Brighton, Everton and Leicester City as examples of rivals benefiting from large-scale owner loans without facing equivalent restrictions.

In their filings, City accused the Premier League of acting “hastily and without precision” in rewriting rules already deemed unlawful.

They claimed the revised APT framework failed to meet legal requirements of transparency, proportionality and fairness.

What the Settlement Means Going Forward

The resolution marks the end of one of City’s most expensive and contentious battles with the league, which had been projected to drag on into 2026 and rack up tens of millions in legal costs for both sides.

With this dispute now settled, attention turns to the far more significant case looming over Manchester City: the 130 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.

A judgment on that case is expected in the coming weeks and could carry severe consequences depending on the outcome.

For now, though, City have secured the right to complete their huge Etihad Airways deal.

Whether that settlement and new revenue stream affects odds movement surrounding City with football betting sites remains to be seen, particularly as the looming financial regulations case could still reshape the club’s immediate future.