Here are some of last week’s top stories from around the global soccer industry…
Premier League Secures Barclays Banking Partnership (FC Business)
Barclays will become the Premier League’s first Official Banking Partner having been title sponsor of the League since 2001/02.
Last year Premier League clubs agreed a new sponsorship strategy which will see the League going title sponsor free from 2016/17 onwards. That decision has provided the Premier League with an opportunity to agree new category partnerships, of which the Official Banking Partnership with Barclays is one.
To continue reading, please click here.
FIFA announces new sponsorship deal, says more on the way (Reuters)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said a wind of change was blowing through soccer’s scandal-plagued world governing body after announcing a sponsorship deal with China’s Wanda Group on Friday.
FIFA has been battered by a series of scandals and the deal, which runs until 2030 and includes the next four World Cups, came one day after the Swiss-based federation announced a $122 million loss for 2015, its first deficit since 2002.
To continue reading, please click here.
Real Madrid complete a pair of signings (Soccerex)
Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid have agreed partnerships with Mondogoal and Nivea South Africa.
Fantasy sports platform Mondogoal will operate a range of officially licensed games for the La Liga club, giving fans the opportunity to win cash prizes. It already has deals in place with Real’s bitter La Liga rivals Barcelona as well as the likes of Valencia, English sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and Italy’s AS Roma.
To continue reading, please click here.
FIFA Seeks Tens of Millions in Damages For Bribery Scandals (Bloomberg)
FIFA says it’s a victim of the bribery scandals that removed most of its leadership. Now soccer’s global governing body wants tens of millions in restitution, even as it admitted for the first time that executives took illicit payments from countries hoping to host the World Cup.
Under the leadership of newly elected president Gianni Infantino, FIFA is seeking part of the $190 million American prosecutors say they will collect from the dozens of soccer and media executives who have been charged with corruption. The organization says it is entitled to be compensated for the damage done to its reputation and brand; it also wants to recover salaries, attorneys’ fees and money used for bribes, according to court documents released Wednesday.
To continue reading, please click here.
New road block hits Brussels EURO 2020 stadium build (Inside World Football)
The construction of Brussels’s EURO2020 stadium has hit a new snag: a public road on the lot bookmarked for the venue may cause a delay of six months. UEFA wants construction to start this year.
In February an environmental report had already cast doubt over the viability of the venue. Last week Ghemlanco, chosen by the council of Brussels to finance, build and operate the stadium, submitted additional documents to address the matter and convince the Flemish government to grant an environmental license as soon as possible.
To continue reading, please click here.
Karim Benzema heard as witness in money laundering investigation (the guardian)
Karim Benzema was heard as a witness several months ago in an investigation over money laundering, a source close to the Real Madrid striker said on Friday, confirming a report by the French daily Libération.
The report comes less than three months before the start of the European Championship finals in France, in which the French football federation (FFF) said he could not play until his legal situation in a separate case had been clarified.
To continue reading, please click here.
Minnesota United’s quest for a Major League Soccer stadium is headed to the Capitol (Daily Journal)
Lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday that would grant tax breaks for the privately-financed $150 million Major League Soccer stadium in St. Paul. Minnesota United team officials are seeking an exemption from state property taxes and a tax break on construction materials. They also want a liquor license for the stadium.
Those requests pale in comparison to the more than $450 million in public money the Legislature pledged for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium in 2011.
To continue reading, please click here.
U.S. Soccer reveals new USMNT, USWNT uniforms (Sports Illustrated)
Weeks after unveiling a new crest, U.S. Soccer has revealed its newest uniforms, ahead of a busy summer that includes Copa America Centenario and the Olympics, and they feature two looks: a mostly white jersey with blue sleeves, and a “bold” black featuring red and blue sleeves, according to outfitter Nike.
“The U.S. Soccer Federation pushes us like nobody else,” Scott Munson, vice president of Nike football apparel, tells SI.com. “They want us to be bold and want to take risks at times.”
To continue reading, please click here.
Under Armour Unveils First U.S. Professional Soccer Kit for New York Cosmos (Forbes)
Earlier this month, Under Armour announced it signed its first soccer partnership in the U.S. with the New York Cosmos, the reigning champions of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The multi-year partnership came to life Wednesday at the Under Armour Brand House in New York City with the unveiling of the match kits.
In addition to the match kits, Under Armour says it will also provide “game-changing competition, training, sideline, and travel gear and apparel innovatively created to help athletes perform on and off the field.” The Cosmos will also be using a ball this year that was custom-designed by Under Armour in partnership with the NASL.
To continue reading, please click here.
Tim Howard seals summer move from Everton to Colorado Rapids (ESPN FC)
Tim Howard has completed a deal to join the Colorado Rapids, returning to Major League Soccer after 13 years in England.
The United States goalkeeper will leave Everton at the end of the Premier League season and will be eligible to play for the Rapids when the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 8.
To continue reading, please click here.
This article originally appeared on Business of Soccer. To learn more about BOS you can follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
