Tibet Water joins Liverpool partnership roster in Asia
July 27 –Premier League Liverpool have signed Tibet Water Resources as their Official Regional Water Partner in China.
Football Marketing
West Ham join Man City on Interactive Club World Cup stage
July 25 – West Ham are in the second group of six clubs FIFA has announced will compete in the first edition of the Interactive Club World Cup (FICWC) competition in London on August 5. Other clubs announced were VfL Wolfsburg, Olympique Lyonnais, Heracles, Sporting C.P. and PSV Eindhoven.
Chelsea apologies hit wall of dislike in China after Kenedy’s social media gaffe
July 25 – Chelsea have issued an apology to the Chinese people over the actions of their young Brazilian player Kenedy who made “offensive social media posts” during the club’s pre-season tour of the country.
CFG expands Man City brand into US grassroots with Goals Soccer Centres hook-up
July 25 – Manchester City owner City Football Group (CFG) is expanding its business in the US and Canada to grassroots playing and training facilities with UK-based Goals Soccer Centres, the world’s largest operator of dedicated, 5-a-side pitches.
Qatar’s beIN Sport beats the blockade with UEFA TV rights win
July 24 – The Saudi Arabian-led boycott of Qatari-owned beIn Sport as part of the diplomatic dispute in the region has not prevented the channel being awarded Middle Eastern and North African broadcasting rights for the Champions League and Europa League.
Huddersfield Town cash-in on sponsorship opportunities of Premier League
July 24 – Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town are capitalising on their commercial opportunity with a new record shirt sponsor as well as new and renewed commercial partnerships.
Premier League clubs head race for global fans, Europe’s elite are slow starters
July 21 – Football has always been global but the concept that its biggest club brands are also global opportunities is never more obvious than in the pre-season tours that see the giant of the European club game play ad-hoc tournaments, friendlies and exhibition game across the globe.
AT&T redials sponsorships with MLS, U.S. Soccer and Mexican team tour
July 21- US telecoms giant AT&T has extended its long-running sponsorships with soccer in the country renewing deals with the MLS, U.S. Soccer and the annual Mexican national team tour in the US.
Leicester put their arm round Siam Commercial Bank in initial one-year deal
July 19 – Leicester City are the latest Premier League club to announce a shirt sleeve sponsor, taking advantage of the league’s new commercial branding rules. Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) will debut on the club’s shirts in today’s Premier League Asia Trophy match in Hong Kong.
Bundesliga opens up gaming rights adding Konami and Sega to renewed EA deal
July 18 – Germany’s Bundesliga has renewed one of its key digital gaming partnership with Electronic Arts but at the same time added to the sponsorship category with new partners in Konami and Sega.
Falken tread global path with multi-year Liverpool deal
July 18 – Liverpool, in Hong Kong on the first leg of their pre-season tour, have announced Japanese firm Falken Tyres as a new global sponsor.
Virgin Media adds sleeve sponsorship to shirt deal at Saints
July 18 – Southampton’s main club sponsor Virgin Media has added the shirt sleeve sponsorship to its package. The media brand will now have its logo on the front of the shirt and the newly created sleeve position.
Tempobet doubles up in Football League with Preston North End deal
July 17 – Online bookmaker Tempobet has signed a second shirt sponsorship deal in the English Football League, becoming principal partner at one of the Football League’s founding clubs Preston North End.
DFB trades in Mercedes-Benz for a new model VW
By Mark Baber
July 14 – The German football association (DFB) is trading in its Mercedes-Benz deal for a shiny new model from disgraced carmaker VW, reportedly worth €25-20 million per year. Mercedes have been the DFB’s main automotive sponsor since 1972.
Just win it. Adidas eat Nike’s lunch in Europe’s big competitions
July 13 – Nike may have been the dominant brand when it comes to winning major European leagues and titles over the past 11 years (Nike 37 Adidas 26), but last season Adidas wiped out the swoosh winning six out of seven major European tournaments.