Newly promoted Premier League team Fulham FC has announced that gambling company W88 will become the first team’s front-of-kit sponsor for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
Club announces deal despite 46% of fans being uncomfortable with gambling sponsor
The news of the new sponsorship deal comes despite recent reports that Premier League teams would be asked to voluntarily remove gambling sponsors from their kits and football grounds.
W88, has a strong history in the Premier League having previously sponsored Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace. The company just ended its sponsorship deal with Palace at the end of last season.
Speaking of the deal, Fulham sales director, Jon Don-Carolis, said:
“We’re pleased to welcome W88 on board as main team partner this season in a record sponsorship deal for the club. The deal provides significant revenue to assist with our commercial objectives, enabling us to compete in a challenging and exciting Premier League campaign.”
Hilly Ehrlich, W88 Business Development Manager, added:
“We are both proud and excited to be partnering with London’s oldest professional football club, Fulham FC, as they return to the top-flight of English football. We are also looking forward to engaging with their passionate global fanbase during the season ahead and delivering innovative content with the Club.
With a global footprint, W88 is a brand which represents integrity, trust and excellence and we will be actively promoting responsible gaming.”
However, the club and W88’s positivity is not shared by all with Fulham supporters previously voicing their concerns over having a gambling sponsor. In a survey carried out by the Fulham Supporters’ Trust, 47% supported an outright ban on gambling sponsors on football jerseys while 46% said they would feel uncomfortable with a gambling company as the club’s main sponsor.
Speaking to The Athletic following rumors of the W88 deal last week, the Fulham Supporters’ Trust stated:
“We know that many fans are uncomfortable with gambling shirt sponsors, and a significant number have told us they don’t buy replica shirts and other merchandise because of it.
With the likelihood of a voluntary ban on gambling front of shirt sponsors being agreed by the Premier League imminently, it appears Fulham, along with other clubs, are taking the last opportunity to get revenue from overseas gambling companies that don’t operate in the UK.”
The club has confirmed that the kit will be worn for the first time this weekend in a friendly against Villarreal.
Image credit: Photo by Nick / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.