The Manchester United co-owner made the remarks at Deutsche Bank's inaugural Sports Investment Conference in London in September, although details of his comments have only now emerged.
According to The Athletic, Glazer compared United with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, suggesting that major sporting brands can retain their commercial strength even when they are not winning championships.
The comparison is likely to anger supporters who have become increasingly frustrated with the Glazer family's ownership, particularly given United's struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013.
The club have not won the Premier League title since Ferguson's final season and have fallen well behind their traditional rivals in recent years.
United's commercial business has continued to generate significant revenue despite their lack of success, although the latest figures show signs of pressure. Commercial revenue for the 2025-26 financial year was reported at £317 million, down £16 million on the previous year.
Their position in global football valuations has also slipped. Forbes ranked United third in its most recent list, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, after the club had previously held the top position for several years.
The Glazers' financial approach remains a major source of anger among supporters. The family's leveraged takeover in 2005 placed debt on the club, and United's financial obligations continue to feature prominently in protests against the ownership.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS became minority investors in 2024 and assumed control of football operations, but Avram and Joel Glazer remain central figures in the club's ownership structure and key financial decisions.
Glazer's reported comments come at a particularly difficult time for United. Michael Carrick's team have struggled in the Premier League and were sitting 17th ahead of their latest match against Aston Villa.
The comparison with American franchises underlines the Glazers' confidence in United's global brand, but it is unlikely to reassure supporters who believe the club's commercial strength should be matched by sustained success on the pitch.