Leading League teams unveil fresh betting backers.
The two Premier League soccer clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley FC, have recently secured new sponsorship deals with Asian online gambling providers. Wolves signed an agreement with ManBetX while Burnley partnered with LoveBet. Here's a quick rundown of what's going on.
Wolves Ink Massive Deal with ManBetX
Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed a "landmark agreement" with ManBetX, a gambling provider based in Malta with Chinese roots. The English soccer club claims it to be their "largest long-term sponsorship deal ever," as the club was founded in 1876. ManBetX, which is one of the top online bookmakers in the world, will now become the club's main and shirt sponsor. The deal starts in the 2019-2020 season and has a clause for extensions.
ManBetX is known for offering extensive sports betting options, including soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, catering to a global audience, particularly in Asia. To make this deal happen, Wolverhampton Wanderers also had to end their partnership with W88—a different Asian betting company—early. Wolves Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple has commented, saying:
"We're thrilled to have ManBetX as our new shirt sponsor. We're on the cusp of a very exciting phase, and we believe our ambitions align with theirs. This is the biggest sponsorship deal Wolves have signed."
A Win-Win Situation
The ManBetX logo will now appear on Wolverhampton Wanderers' senior and U23 team shirts, as well as on their disabled team and all merchandise jerseys. Unsurprisingly, Sponsorship Director Xavi Wong said it would be "a huge step forward" for the company:
"We're confident our partnership will yield incredible results for both parties. The Wolves have the potential to propel us to new heights and set us apart from our competitors."
The focus going forward is to reach a global audience, which is why Wolverhampton Wanderers plan to travel to China for the first time in July to participate in the "Premier League Asia Trophy 2019." They've even partnered with Thomas Cook to ensure players and fans can make the journey.
Burnley FC Unveils LoveBet Deal
Burnley FC also struck a sponsorship deal with the Asian online gambling provider LoveBet. The partnership will commence with the start of the 2019-20 season and will last for three years. Like Wolves, LoveBet will become Burnley's main and shirt sponsor. The company's logo will now appear on the front and sleeves of the club's jerseys, as well as on all merchandise shirts. However, the junior versions will remain unbranded due to youth protection regulations.
Both sides believe the agreement will help LoveBet establish themselves in the UK professional football market, with LoveBet already holding a sponsorship deal with Paris St. Germain since 2018. LoveBet Sponsorship Director Edward Li said:
"Our growing connection through club partnerships in Asia and Europe will help us further our brand. We already have many activities planned for the fans and our customers, and we're excited to work with Burnley FC over the next three years."
Burnley Commercial Director Anthony Fairclough echoed these sentiments, stating:
"We're thrilled to welcome LoveBet, a partner we believe is perfectly suited to our club. Together, we'll reach our ever-expanding global audience, especially in the Asian market."
Bookmakers on Shirts on the Rise
It's no secret that more and more betting providers are becoming shirt sponsors, especially in English professional soccer. In 2018, there were already logos of nine clubs, out of a total of 20, adorned with the names of bookmakers. This season, the number has risen to more than half. Recently, a sizable agreement between Birmingham City and Boylesports sparked debate in this aspect.
However, the partnerships between sports clubs and betting providers have also faced criticism regarding the protection of minors. In September 2018, both the Premier League and England's second-highest league, the Championship, had negative media attention due to alleged sports betting promotions on the junior websites of 15 professional clubs. Among these clubs was Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were still partnered with W88 at the time. It remains to be seen whether ManBetX will face similar scrutiny.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
