The 2016-17 season will see English football’s top flight become known as the Premier League, with no title sponsor.
Banking giant Barclays had held the title sponsorship since the 2001-02 season and the move away from one partner in this key market opens up a raft of opportunities for football clubs to add to their existing sponsorship and partnership stables.
Previously, clubs were precluded from entering into agreements with companies in the financial services sector due to the exclusivity agreement with Barclays, but the Premier League’s new sponsorship strategy of being title sponsor free from 2016-17 onwards opens up exciting new markets to clubs.
Covering areas such as banking, credit cards and loan providers, the financial sector features a broad range of companies keen to tap into the reach and popularity of top flight football.
Sunderland AFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson said: “It is a very exciting development for clubs and one which provides us with an exciting opportunity to explore new partnerships, from what is a significant commercial market.
“The Premier League is the most watched sporting league in the world, viewed in 190 countries and last season almost 14 million fans attended matches. Brands are naturally keen to be associated with such a success story and these changes offer a fantastic opportunity for companies to be part of the best league in the world”.
The club is already in discussions with a number of companies from the financial services sector and further announcements regarding new partnerships will be made in the coming weeks.
