By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – One of the biggest sponsorship contract renewals in football history has been completed with Arsenal signing a new £150 million ($240 million/€185 million) shirt deal with Emirates airline until 2019.
The two parties have also extended their naming rights deal to the club’s 60,000-seater ground (pictured below), which will be continue to be called the Emirates Stadium until 2028.
In total, the agreement brings in £30 million ($48 million/€37 million) a season for Arsenal in terms of shirt and stadium sponsorship – crucial revenue as they try to keep pace with the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea in the transfer market.
“The original deal with Emirates was a key facilitator of our move from [previous stadium] Highbury and this next phase of our relationship will be just as critical to keep us at the top of the game in England and Europe,” said Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis (pictured top, second right).
In 2011, Barcelona signed what was then the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal in the game with the Qatar Foundation – worth €30 million (£24 million/$39 million) a year – but will see Qatar Airways take over from next season.
Last year, Manchester City signed a 10-year deal reportedly worth £400 million ($641 million/€494 million) with Etihad for the airline’s name to go on both the club’s shirt and the stadium.
The £30 million a year ($48 million/€37 million) Arsenal deal represents a significant increase over the previous arrangement.
“This agreement is a testimony to Arsenal’s approach and to the capabilities we have developed in recent years as well as the strength of our partnership with Emirates,” said Gazidis.
“The fact this partnership will continue for many years to come underlines how much both organisations value and benefit from the relationship.”
Chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, added: “Arsenal’s strong appeal around the globe and ambitious approach to the game parallel our own approach to business, making them a valuable partner for our brand.”
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