Brentford buzzing as they expand University of West London deal
August 9 – Championship club Brentford have expanded their partnership with the University of West London (UWL) as part of a new three-year deal.
Football Marketing
Konami adds Valencia CF, Countinho and top Brazilian clubs in PES 2018 v FIFA 18 battle
August 8 – Ahead of the rival launches of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 and FIFA 18, Konami announced that PES2018 is now the Official Video Gaming Partner of Spanish club Valencia CF.
HDI to ride on the shirt sleeve of Hannover 96
August 8 – German insurance group HDI has become the shirt sleeve sponsor of Bundesliga club Hannover 96. HDI is already holds the naming rights to the club’s stadium, a sponsorship it secured in 2013.
Opel deal with Dortmund becomes eighth Bundesliga club sleeve sponsorship
August 7 – German carmaker Opel has extended and expanded its deal with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund for a another five years. Opel will have its logo on the sleeve of the Dortmund shirt and will have increased branding and marketing activation throughout the club.
Man City launch new free digital membership platform for Cityzens
August 7 – Manchester City have launched a new free digital fan engagement platform that will personalise their interaction with the club and target fans with offers and information relative to their location and interests.
EA Sports goes deeper with EFL with new data and iFollow sponsorship
August 4 – EA Sports has signed on to become an Official Partner of the English Football League (EFL), in a six-year agreement to become the league’s on-screen data partner and the first sponsor of the new digital streaming service, iFollow, that launches with the season kick-off tonight (Friday).
USL expands season to 31 weeks as it makes room for Nashville, Fresno and Las Vegas
August 4 – The United Soccer League (USL), the second tier of US professional football, has announced an expanded 31-week season for 2018, with clubs playing 34 games.
Leicester City’s Asian growth ensures a second season with DirectAsia
August 4 – Leicester City have renewed motor and travel insurance provider DirectAsia for a second year as an Official Partner. No value was put on the deal that focus on south-east Asia.
Adidas breaks records with six-year, $700m MLS sponsorship renewal
August 3 – Adidas has signed a record breaking six year renewal with Major League Soccer reckoned to be worth more than $700 million, according to reports.
William Hill profits plummet. Ladbrokes gets close to the action with Sheffield United deal
By Paul Nicholson
August 3 – The battle for Britain’s punters is well and truly on. Bookmaker William Hill has promised a social media onslaught to win customers after first half profits fell 7% to £93.5 million on turnover of £837 million. Meanwhile, rival Ladbrokes was setting up for this weekend’s start of the Championship season, becoming Sheffield United’s Official Stadium Betting partner.
Coral bets on Sunderland as club bids for Premier League return
August 2 – Sunderland, relegated from the Premier League last season but now gearing up for the Championship after a summer of aborted takeover talk, have turned back to business matters and signed UK bookmaker Coral as a club partner.
Ronaldo buys into digital agency Thing Pink and rebrands it 7EGEND
August 1 – Portugal and Real Madrid social media machine Ronaldo has taken his digital immersion a step further buying a majority ownership position in Portuguese digital agency Thing Pink.
Real Madrid cash in with forex broker Exness in 3-year deal
August 1 – Real Madrid has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with retail foreign exchange broker Exness which will become the Spanish club’s official trading partner for the next three years.
Finalists line-up for FIFA Interactive World Cup finals in London
July 31 – Eight more qualifiers have made their way through to the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final to be held in London August 15-17.
Arsenal drive deeper into China with expanded BNN Technology deal
July 28 – Arsenal have extended their partnership with China-based technology provider BNN Technology through to the end of the 2019/20 season.