The Register is reporting that several blue chip firms, including IBM, are lining up to sponsor UK soccer team Manchester United.

Google or IBM to sponsor Man Utd?

Blue chip firms and mega-brands - including Google, Yahoo, IBM, Levi Strauss and Coca-Cola - are apparently lining up to take over the shirt sponsorship of Manchester United after Vodafone’s decision to curtail its £9m a year shirt sponsorship deal. The Observer quotes unnamed City sources to support a theory that all are prepared to pay more than Vodafone in order to be associated with the Red Devils. Conspiracy theorists will note that Google recently established an office in Manchester.

IBM sponsor a football team ? I’d like to see that !

(Via Rob Evans)