By Ricardo Setyon
December 15 – The recent illness of Pele that kept the Brazilian nation anxiously watching their news bulletins, was also the opportunity for the football legend to announce his latest image rights deal.
Just as his dialysis treatment was ending in the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, the 74-old Pelé, signed a new agreement with his former club Santos FC,that allows the club to explore his image for a life time period.
An image rights agreement already existed between Pelé and Santos, but it expired at the end of 2014.
Santos had originally said that it would wait for Pele to leave the hospital before making any announcement. The reasons for the subsequent rush are unclear but the PR timing was immaculate.
The full terms of the new contract are not clear however club President Odílio Rodrigues said the club had signed life long contract with their ex-athlete – the first by any club in the world
Under the agreement Santos has the right to use Pelé’s image in all of its marketing as well as having Pele attend certain events.
Santos can also license and commercialise products linked directly to Pele.
Pelé will take a cut of all products sold, campaigns created, and his family will remain as beneficiary of any future financial agreement between the club and Pelé.
“United forever. That is how Santos FC and Pelé will be linked from now on. The brand “Pelé” will be of major importance for Santos to increase its status around the world. We have now the best player ever in our history, now, at present he is by our side, and with this new contract, Pelé will be with Santos FC forever!”, said Rodrigues.
Pelé himself, said :”Santos FC always believed in me. When I was a young boy, and it transformed me in the man I am today. Santos FC is in my blood. It is with me wherever I go. I am anxious to work with the club of my heart, and help secure that Santos is and will be always known and respected as the best Brazilian Club, and the most known abroad!”.
Pelé played for Santos FC for 18 years. He scored 1,091 goals wearing their shirt, and won close to 50 titles and tournaments, including two Club World Cups, in 1962 and 1963.
Just days before the election of Santos FC, for a new president, Pelé was released from Hospital. The contract, was had been signed just four days before that with outgoing president Rodrigues, in the Albert Einstein Hospital.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734966880labto1734966880ofdlr1734966880owedi1734966880sni@n1734966880oytes1734966880.odra1734966880cir1734966880