In a surprising move, Chelsea Football Club has decided to commence the upcoming Premier League season without a shirt sponsor, despite a tempting £40 million offer from an adult website. Just days away from their highly anticipated opening match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, the London club have opted to forego a sponsor, citing a desire to secure the best possible deal.
This decision marks a rare departure from the norm for a club of Chelsea’s stature. Talks with various firms regarding a potential sponsorship arrangement have taken place, but negotiations have not yielded a finalized agreement ahead of the season’s commencement.
My.Club, an adult subscription platform, presented a substantial sponsorship proposal to Chelsea. The CEO of My.Club, Mike Ford, expressed his company’s eagerness to support Chelsea’s pursuit of success, aiming to feature their logo on the team’s jerseys. Ford highlighted the potential benefits for both parties, envisioning a partnership that would enhance signings, like the coveted Kylian Mbappe, and offer unique engagement opportunities for fans through the My.Club platform.
Despite the absence of a shirt sponsor for their clash with Liverpool, Chelsea remains steadfast in their pursuit of a lucrative and mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangement. Chris Jurasek, the club’s CEO, is overseeing the sponsorship search and is determined not to compromise on the quality of the deal. Jurasek’s stance stems from a desire to establish a favorable precedent for future negotiations.
Chelsea’s past sponsorship deal with Three was valued at £40 million per year, a benchmark they hope to exceed with a new agreement. However, a challenging season that saw them finish 12th and miss out on Champions League qualification has complicated their pursuit of a more lucrative partnership. The club’s efforts to secure Paramount and Stake as sponsors were met with obstacles, underscoring the intricate nature of sponsorship negotiations.
As Chelsea enters the new season shirt sponsor-free, the footballing world awaits developments in this intriguing saga. Will the club secure a deal that aligns with its ambitions and satisfies its fanbase, or will it continue its quest for the ideal partnership? Only time will tell as the Premier League season unfolds.
