October 17 – French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille who started the season without a shirt sponsor, have now filled the space with an expansion of their partnership with telecommunications company Orange.
Orange, who hold the stadium naming rights to the club’s Stade Vélodrome ground, will now have its logo on the front of OM shirts as well in a deal that will take them though to the end of the 2021/22 season.
Jacques-Henri Eyraud, president of Olympique de Marseille, said: “Olympique de Marseille is very proud of developing its collaboration with one of its most loyal partners, recognised as one of the leading companies worldwide.
“It has been more than a decade since the club and Orange began working hand in hand in a relationship of mutual trust. This agreement is in line with Olympique de Marseille’s desire to develop its activities with recognised and ambitious partners.”
No value was given for the Orange deal, which comes as part of a reinvigorated commercial sales programme by OM’s owner, American Frank McCourt, who took charge just over a year ago in September 2016. McCourt paid a reported $44.68 million and vowed to restore the club to their former glories. He also promised a harder sales edge to the club’s commercial properties which he believed were unsold.
OM has traditionally been an Adidas club with its ownership links to the Dreyfus family. However, in one of his first acts at the club McCourt initiated a five-year deal with Puma that will start with the 2018-19 season and is worth an estimated €14-15 million.
OM are fourth in Ligue 1 and play PSG this weekend. They are also playing the UEFA Europa League this season, though McCourt has set the club’s sights ion the Champions League.
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