A SPORTS law expert has said that Mason Greenwood may have lost millions after the attempted rape claims against him.
Top lawyer David Winnie spoke to The Sun Online in the wake of Greenwood, 21, being dropped from his sponsorship deal with Nike.
David, a former professional footballer and head of sports law at Blaser Mills solicitors, said that sponsors would be put off by a “residual stigma” hanging over the Manchester United striker even after the charges against him were dropped.
He said: “The financial benefits [of the Nike deal] would have been significant given how far he came in his career.
“Prior to the charges he was good for sponsors…if he was doing well they’d want him front and centre…[but] now there’s a residual stigma for brands.”
It comes as Greenwood is reported to be weighing up a major career move if he is sacked by his current club.
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However, the rumoured transfer would see him take a hefty pay cut due to a salary cap in the league he is believed to be targeting.
When asked how much the loss of the deal would cost the England international, David explained: “It’s potentially a significant amount.
“There will have been bonuses for taking steps forward in his career [like playing for England].
“Definitely hundreds of thousands…potentially millions of pounds.”
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He added that major brands “probably wouldn’t want to be associated” with Greenwood “if or until his career picks back up again” and that they will be “slow to connect with him again”.
However, David did feel there was some hope left for the Old Trafford ace, saying: “I don’t see why he couldn’t bring sponsors back in future.
“He’s now free of any legal doubts…he’s not toxic…he’s back on the horizon, but it’s a very far horizon.
“He’s the one who has to bring himself back…by playing football, getting his head down and doing the right things off the pitch.”
Greenwood is currently suspended by Manchester United, pending an internal investigation.
Despite the case against him collapsing, sources have said that his clubmates are not all in favour of having him back.
Charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against the star were dropped earlier this month after several key witnesses withdrew.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
