By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.
The CBF and Ultrafarma had agreed the terms on July 8, but the CBF only announced the partnership this week. In the next 30 years Ultrafarma will have their branding featured heavily on the CBF’s materials and will be able to engage in customer-orientated activities. The contract also stipulates the use of vitamins and minerals from the brand Sidney Oliveira.
A contractual clause allows for the deal to be revised every five years.
“The company is associating its image with this symbol of achievement, victory and leadership that is the Brazil national team,” said Sidney Oliveira, the chairman and founder of Ultrafarma.
“The national team is the most successful in sports history,” said CBF president Marco Polo Del Nero. “One year after the most difficult time for the team, we have this example of a reliable partner in Ultrafarma – an acknowledgment of our serious administration.”
Del Nero’s ‘serious administration’ has faced intense scrutiny of late as Brazilian football has been engulfed by the aftermath of the FIFA scandal. His predecessor Jose Maria Marin was arrested in Zurich on charges of alleged fraud, racketeering and money laundering and faces extradition to the United States. Brazilian authorities recently indicted Ricardo Teixeira, Marin’s predecessor, for crimes against federal tax regulations.
Ultrafarma’s financial commitment was not disclosed, but is believed to about €3.4 million annually, making Ultrafarma a third tier sponsor whose commitments range from €2.6-5.8 million a year. Nike remains Brazil’s prime sponsor, spending €26 million every year to be associated with the world’s most recognisable team.
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