The world of football fan media has reached a new financial milestone, with one of its most prominent figures revealing a multi-million pound personal payday. Manchester United-focused content creator Mark Goldbridge, whose real name is Brent Di Cesare, paid himself a staggering £1.5 million in the year up to December 2024.
From Viral Rants to Seven-Figure Salary
Goldbridge, 46, has built a formidable online empire primarily through his channel 'The United Stand', which boasts 2.22 million subscribers on YouTube and claims to be the world's largest Manchester United fan media outlet. His rise to fame has been fuelled by passionate, often viral, watch-along sessions and commentary on the club's fortunes.
According to filings at Companies House for his company, OMS Investments Limited, the content creator was the sole director to benefit from the substantial sum. The company's current assets also saw significant growth, rising from £3.3 million in 2023 to £4.96 million in 2024 – an increase of £1.6 million. OMS Investments encompasses The United Stand and his other ventures.
Landmark Deal with Bundesliga
Goldbridge's influence has now expanded beyond the realm of fan commentary into official sports broadcasting. In a landmark move for digital creators, his secondary channel 'That's Football' – which has 1.44 million subscribers – was awarded rights to broadcast a selection of Bundesliga matches.
This deal, announced in August, positions his channel alongside traditional broadcast giants like Sky, BBC, and Amazon in the Bundesliga's UK strategy. 'That's Football' will stream 20 live Bundesliga matches on Friday nights and produce 34 weekly shows for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
"A landmark deal putting That’s Football alongside Sky, BBC and Amazon in the Bundesliga UK strategy," a statement from the channel declared. This marks the first time a content creator has been awarded broadcast rights to a major European football league.
Controversy and Influence at Old Trafford
Goldbridge's success has not been without controversy. His critical coverage of Manchester United has drawn ire from some associated with the club. Former United defender Paul Parker accused him in 2023 of "causing problems", alleging Goldbridge is actually a Nottingham Forest fan profiting from a club he does not support.
His platform's influence was underscored when first-team player Alejandro Garnacho landed in hot water for liking a Goldbridge post critical of manager Erik ten Hag in April. While Garnacho apologised, the incident highlighted the channel's reach within the squad itself.
Furthermore, striker Rasmus Hojlund's decision to grant an interview to The United Stand in February sparked a reported backlash from some teammates and, alarmingly, led to Goldbridge receiving death threats, as exclusively revealed by Mail Sport.
The financial revelations solidify Mark Goldbridge's status as a powerful, if divisive, new force in football media, successfully monetising fan passion on an unprecedented scale while breaking into traditional broadcasting territory.
