Man City spearheads CFG drive into China with second office in Shenzen
September 21 – Manchester City owner City Football Group (CFG), has opened a second office in China, in Shenzen.
Football Marketing
LaLiga in the US: Spanish FA block game proposal, but Tebas remains defiant
September 21 – The fierce debate over controversial plans to play a top-flight La Liga game in the United States has taken a significant twist with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) blocking the idea, putting them in direct conflict with the league.
West Ham add FX specialists Global Reach as official payments partner
September 21 – London-based foreign exchange business, Global Reach, has become West Ham United’s Official Payments Partner.
Brand wars: UEFA call time on Young Boys 1954 clock ads
September 20 – Not only did Swiss club Young Boys suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday but they were in danger of falling foul of strict UEFA marketing rules.
Following the money: Barca back Miami match as a natural progression
September 19 – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu (pictured) says he is fully behind the much-publicised LaLiga regular season game scheduled for Miami in January, provided all parties can reach an agreement.
Broadcast disruption: UEFA set to launch OTT streaming platform
September 18 – UEFA is poised to take a deeper step into the broadcast business with the launch of its own OTT streaming platform which will air content outside the big money TV deals of its Champions League, Europa League and national team competitions.
Liverpool adds TigerWit as global ForEx trading partner
September 18 – Liverpool has added global financial technology company, TigerWit, as its Official Online Foreign Exchange Trading Partner in a two-year deal. No value was given for the sponsorship.
Safaricom partners with LaLiga in Kenya for grassroots activation
September 17 – Safaricom, which has over 29.5 million subscribers in Kenya to a variety of telecoms services including ‘mobile money’, has partnered with Spain’s LaLiga focusing on grassroots football.
Lucky number 7. Coca-Cola add final fizz to Premier League sponsor roster
September 17 – The Premier League have signed their seventh partner to complete their sponsorship. Coca-Cola GB have joined in a multi-brand three-and-a-half year deal starting January 2019.
PSG takes a big jump into fashion retailing with Jordan Brand collection
September 14 – French Ligue1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have teamed up with basketball legend Michael Jordan and his fashion label Jordan Brand to launch and exclusive clothing collection.
FedEx Express renews with Europa League for another 3 years
September 13 – UEFA has renewed FedEx Express as an official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League in a new three-year deal.
Indian tyre maker BKT takes title sponsorship of French League Cup
September 13 – France’s Ligue1 has announced India’s BKT as its title partner for its Coupe de la Ligue (League Cup) in a six-season deal taking the Indian tyre maker through to the end of the 2023/24 season.Announced at the draw for the round of 32 of the League Cup, the sponsorship begins with this season, as is estimated to be worth €3 million per season for the league.
Fulham double up with Tempobet in one-year sponsorship deal
September 13 – Premier League returnees Fulham have signed Tempobet as their UK betting partner. No value has been announced for the deal which is initially for one-season.
Adidas renew DFB deal through to 2026 and build case for Euro 2024 hosting
By Paul Nicholson
September 11 – Adidas, who have been the German national team’s official kit sponsor for more than 60 years, has extended the partnership until 2026.
Political pressure forces Liverpool to end controversial Tibet Water sponsorship
September 11 – Liverpool have ended their controversial regional sponsorship agreement with Tibet Water Resources who became the club’s Official Regional Water Partner in China in July 2017.