May 16 – Newly promoted Newcastle United are swapping shirt sponsors with pay day loans company Wonga making way for online bookmaker and casino FUN88 in a three-year deal.
Wonga was always a controversial shirt sponsor with consumer groups and fans saying the firm was preying on the financially insecure with small loans offered at massively inflated interest rates.
Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse at one point refused to wear the club’s Wonga logo because of his religious beliefs. Cisse, a Muslim, even pulled out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour after telling the club he was not prepared to advertise the loan shark company on his shirt.
Wonga were paying £8 million a year in four-year deal that ended with this season. No figure has been announced for the FUN88 deal.
Newcastle United celebrate their 125th Anniversary next season. The betting brand will have signage within St. James’ Park stadium and presence across online and social media channels in the UK and internationally.
FUN88 has a strong presence in Asia offering sports betting and live casinos in multiple languages. Newcastle United will be launching three new social media channels in Asia – WeChat, Weibo & Dongqiudi – targeting the Premier League’s biggest international fanbase in China with all the latest club news and exclusive content.
FUN88 is a leading online gaming company with a large international following that offers sports betting and live casinos, which are both available in multiple languages. ~founded in 2008 FUN88 were nominated for Asian Operator of the Year at the prestigious EGR Awards in 2009.
Lee Charnley, Managing Director at Newcastle United, said: “In FUN88, we have a shirt sponsor that understands the club and brings significant benefits commercially. The relationship will enable the club and FUN88 to enhance our respective global profiles together as we celebrate a landmark season.”
FUN88 was the shirt sponsor of Burnley FC and is currently the Official Betting Partner in Asian and Latin America of Tottenham Hotspur.
“Our previous sponsorships in English football have delivered great results for the brand and I’m certain Newcastle United will provide FUN88 with the platform to move to new heights. We are looking forward to engaging with the Club’s huge fanbase – both in the city of Newcastle and worldwide,” said Nathan Walker, Director at FUN88.
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