VfB Stuttgart is breaking ties with gaming sponsor Winamax: What leads Swabians to relinquish 8 million euros annually?
VfB Stuttgart cuts ties with betting partner Winamax early, as reported. For the current season, the Bundesliga team will still exhibit the French bookmaker's logo on their jerseys. The motivations behind this move remain hazy.
VfB exercises early termination clause
The Winamax logo was set to grace the Swabians' chests until the conclusion of the 25/26 campaign, with VfB set to compete in the Champions League for the first time in 15 years this year.
However, an early termination clause in the contract has enabled VfB to scuttle the sponsorship agreement ahead of schedule, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Alexander Wehrle, chairman of the VfB Stuttgart board, did not disclose any rationale for the decision at the shareholders' meeting, despite the agreement presumably being financially advantageous. VfB was due to rake in around 8 million euros annually from Winamax.
VfB under fire for gambling sponsorship
When VfB Stuttgart unveiled Winamax as a sponsor last year, many fans were less than thrilled. However, the Swabians are not only receiving funds from the French sports betting provider but also financial assistance from the online casino Jokerstar.
Recently, it was also revealed that VfB Stuttgart will endorse the crypto casino Lucky Block on the Asian market. The service is not legitimate in Germany, so VfB must ensure that the partnership is only publicized in the Asian region.
The company Porsche, which became a VfB shareholder in January 2024, does not seem to have been enthused about the Lucky Block deal. It remains to be seen whether VfB's separation from Winamax is linked to the investor's position.
Does VfB seek wealthier deals?
Last season, VfB Stuttgart surprised many by finishing as runners-up following a two-year struggle against relegation. With Champions League participation, the traditional club could become more appealing to prominent sponsors.
However, it remains to be seen whether these sponsors would pay more for the jersey space than Winamax. The reasons for the split from Winamax could also be the fan and shareholder Porsche's pressure. On the social media platform Reddit, the separation was largely viewed favorably by commenting fans.
Wehrle also mentioned that two regional companies could join the ranks of VfB Stuttgart's sponsors. It remains to be seen whether one of these companies will adorn the Swabians' chests by 2025.
Online casinos in Germany's sports landscape
In light of VfB Stuttgart's decision to terminate its sponsorship agreement with Winamax early, there has been a growing debate about the role of online casinos in German sports.
Despite the controversy, other German clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach have partnered with online casino platforms, such as Tipico, which has been an official sponsor since 2019.
It remains to be seen if the VfB Stuttgart's move towards distancing itself from online casinos like Winamax will inspire a trend among other German clubs, or if it's an isolated incident in the online casinos Germany sports landscape.
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