January 16 – Belo Horizonte club Atletico Mineiro has partnered with H2Bet in a three-year deal.
The sponsorship is a landmark deal, worth 180 million Brazilian reais ($13.2 million), for the club.
“This is the biggest sponsorship in Atlético’s history, which helps us maintain a competitive team aiming for titles,” said Atletico director of football Victory Bagy. “With this partnership, H2bet places Atlético among the most valuable shirts in Brazilian football.”
The deal is a sign of the proliferation of betting sponsors in the Brazilian game. All 20 top-flight clubs have a betting operator on their shirt.
Recently, Palmeiras swapped Crefisa for Sportingbet. Botafogo teamed up with VBet. A new law in Brazil has curbed the flow of offshore betting operators flooding into the Brazilian market. All operators now require a Brazilian license, valid for five years against the payment of 30 million Brazilian reais.
“We are here for the engagement of the fans and for management that thinks in the medium and long term,” said CEO of H2bet Ueltom Lima.
“We are committed to this and will do everything we can to be important partners, further strengthening Atlético to compete for the main titles. It is an honour to be here contributing to the growth of the club.”
Atletico are one of the big two in Minas Gerais. Last season, the club finished 12th in the Brazilian league but lost the Copa Libertadores final against Botafogo. They are currently preparing for the new season with a training camp in the United States.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1737046415labto1737046415ofdlr1737046415owedi1737046415sni@i1737046415tnuk.1737046415ardni1737046415mas1737046415