According to reports, online gambling company Stake.com is in advanced talks with Chelsea Football Club to become the Premier League club’s new front-of-shirt sponsor.
The news of the potential partnership comes as a surprise given the Premier League’s recent decision to end front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship. The Premier League’s ban means that any potential deal can only be agreed for the next two years as from 2025 all gambling sponsorship deals are due to end.
The reports suggest that the partnership is a last-minute deal after a sponsorship agreement with a crypto company fell through at the eleventh hour. Stake.com is reportedly offering as much as £40 million per year to match the previous deal with mobile carrier Three. This is believed to be significantly more than an offer from Allianz.
If agreed, the deal will eclipse the £10 million per year partnership agreement Stake currently has with Everton.
While the Premier League’s ban on front-of-shirt sponsorship deals is seen as a step in the right direction, critics have pointed out that it doesn’t go far enough as gambling advertising will still be allowed on pitch side hoardings and shirt sleeves of football kits.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.