December 1 – Chelsea is reportedly “edging closer” to a deal with Turkish Airlines. According to unnamed sources the new Chelsea deal will be worth £25 million a year to the South London club, £7 million more than Samsung (whose contract expires at the end of the year) currently pay.
The deal, which has been talked about since September, would be the fourth biggest club sponsorship in the Premier League, after Chevrolet’s deal with Manchester United, Manchester City’s with Etihad and Arsenal’s with Fly Emirates.
Late last week Turkish Airlines were in the headlines for sacking one of their stewardesses Zuhal Sengal, after bosses found pictures of her in an Italian magazine. According to the airline, modelling was not one of “certain standards and qualities” required in company staff.
The controversy comes on the back of airline executives coming under fire for banning the use of red, claret and pink lipstick, tattoos, high buns and wigs.
Turkish Airlines is targeting a bigger slice of the European and Asian market as the centre of gravity of world air travel moves east. Sponsorships of Galatasaray and Borussia Dortmund and players such as Messi and Drogba form part of the company’s global marketing strategy.
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