Pogboom! Paul Pogba secures €40m deal with Adidas
By Mark Baber
March 17 – Adidas finally confirmed on Wednesday morning that Paul Pogba has agreed what is believed to be a 10-year, €40 million deal with the company.
Sponsorship
Inter Milan drive through new five-year shirt deal with Pirelli
March 15 – The on-off rumours that Pirelli were to end their 20-year sponsorship of Inter Milan have been ended with the club officially announcing that they had agreed a new five-year deal.
Man Utd sign Gulf Oil as global partner taking sponsor squad to 24
By Matt Scott
March 14 – Manchester United signed their latest global commercial partner in what has now become a 24-firm squad with the arrival on the scene of the Official Global Lubricant Oil and Fuel Retail Partner, Gulf Oil, on Monday.
Perfect marriage. Nike and Barcelona close in on €100m per year deal
By Mark Baber
March 4 – US sportswear giant Nike is reportedly prepared to offer Barcelona €85 million a year, plus bonuses bringing the total up to €100 million to extend the current sponsorship contract which expires in 2018.
Coke, Sprint and State Farm join Nike for Copa America Centenario in the US
By Samindra Kunti
March 3 – This summer’s centennial Copa America tournament in the US, the first time CONMEBOL has held the tournament outside South America and which will feature six teams from CONCACAF, has signed three high profile sponsor partners in Coca-Cola, Sprint and State Farm.
Man Utd turn on the power with new Yanmar deal
March 3 – It appear Manchester United fans like motor vehicles and the club likes motor manufacturers as global sponsors. Chevrolet are the club’s shirt sponsor, and sit alongside Japanese industrial Yanmar who have extended their deal to become the club’s first Agricultural Vehicles Partner.
Toronto cash in with Bank of Montreal 10-year stadium deal
By Ben Nicholson
23 February – The Bank of Montreal (BMO) has added ten years to its agreement with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), operators of Toronto FC, for the naming rights to its recently renovated stadium.
Mansion build their castle and place their bets on a revamped Crystal Palace
February 23 – Sunday’s big London derby FA Cup clash between Spurs and Crystal Palace – two of the teams that have shown they have the capability to upset the traditional old order in the Premier League – was a battle between two clubs that are investing deeply in players and stadium infrastructure to achieve their improved status. But as well as sharing an ambition to change the accepted English club hierarchy, they also have another commonality in that they either had or have a sponsor relationship with online casino Mansion.
Nike cuts Pacquiao over homophobic comments but stays in the ring with Nigeria
By Mark Baber
February 19 – Nike has won plaudits for ending its relationship with Manny Pacquiao, but its ongoing sponsorship of Nigerian football shows its apparently principled stand against homophobia is little more than a marketing device.
Michelin treads new path as sponsorship wheels come off beleaguered CBF
By Samindra Kunti
February 16 – The Brazilian FA CBF and sponsor Michelin have parted ways as the CBF’s crisis continues well into 2016.
Hollywood comes to Old Trafford with 20th Century Fox deal
February 8 – Manchester United, giants of the small screen when it comes to TV ratings, have hooked up with big screen Hollywood film distributors 20th Century Fox to promote the studio’s films at its home game.
Is Nike kicking Nigeria in the backside over sponsorship issues?
By Mark Baber
January 29 – Nike is believed to be reviewing its partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), although details of why this is happening is unclear, with Nigerian media widely blaming review on the bad run of results by the men’s national team.
Man Utd fuels Indonesian business with new drinks partner
January 28 – Premier League commercial giant Manchester United has announced a new partnerhip in drinks brank YOU.C1000, which becomes the club’s Official Isotonic Drinks Partner in Indonesia.
Mitre builds in Far East becoming official match ball sponsor for the S. League
January 26 – Mitre, a brand of UK-based Pentland Group, has been unveiled as the new official match ball sponsor of Singapore’s S. League in a new five-year deal which sees the world’s oldest manufacturer of footballs become the league’s official football and product supplier.
Man Utd add second appareil sponsor with Columbia Sportswear
January 25 – Premier League club Manchester United has unveiled a second appareil sponsor with Columbia Sportswear becoming the club’s first official outdoor appareil sponsor. The club’s main kit deal is with Adidas who took over from Nike in a 10 year deal that started this season.