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This week’s OTB reports on the Premier League’s historic Hall of Fame announcement plus sponsorship dealings with Watford, Croatia and Russia.
The Premier League unveils Hall of Fame
The Premier League has officially launched its own Hall of Fame in which two inductees will be announced on 19 March, 2020.
The Hall of Fame will be officially sponsored by the league’s official beer partner Budweiser, as an extension on the company’s current partnership.
Premier League’s CEO Richard Masters stated: “Since 1992, the Premier League has been home to world-class players who have defined generations and provided us with compelling football season after season.
“A place in the Premier League Hall of Fame is reserved for the very best. It will be an occasion for our fans around the world to look back over the years and help us celebrate some truly exceptional playing careers.”
In a statement issued, the organisation outlined that Hall of Fame will be ‘the highest individual honour awarded to player’ by the league, with the first two inductees to be revealed on the same date as the launch.
On the same date, a shortlist of nominees will be announced, with Premier League fans allowed to have their say on who should also be included in the inaugural line-up.
Watford soars with American Airlines deal
Watford Football Club has revealed American Airlines as its official airline partner for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
American Airlines will seek to garner the attention of millions of football fans across the globe as part of the collaboration with the Premier League team.
While Watford will be able to engage with a significant number of American Airlines customers worldwide, as the football club’s own content and highlights being placed on the flight entertainment systems and in the on-flight magazine.
Watford FC Chairman Scott Duxbury commented: “We’ve been delighted to meet Tom and his team in agreeing this partnership. It’s clear they have an ambition to be different and succeed in their industry, so our aims are similar in that respect. I hope this marks the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Tom Lattig, Managing Director for EMEA Sales at American Airlines, concluded: “It is our shared purpose at American Airlines to connect people from all over the world on life’s journey.
“Whether we’re flying fans to a game or promoting the club’s highlights onboard our flights, our 130,000-strong team are delighted to be the Official Airline Partner of Watford Football Club.”
TIANBO strikes agreement with Croatian football
Strengthening two companies’ cross-continental appeal, Philippines based technology TIANBO has announced a commercial partnership with the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).
HNS will be able to expand its commercial activities through the partnership with TIANBO, a global provider of online entertainment with the likes of TIANBO Sports.
Hashtage’s CEO Rongtian He, who brokered the deal between the two firms, told InsiderSport: “We have a really good relationship with TIANBO and we helped them approach the national team to see if they would like to consider a partnership. It happened very quickly, in just about four months.
“This is the Croatian National Team’s first time working with Asian branding so there was some characteristic understanding, so they can learn how to understand the audience.
HNS president and 1998 Golden Boot winner Davor Šuker added: “The Vatreni and their iconic red-and-white checkers are instantly recognisable worldwide, and they serve as an emblem of Croatia and of Croatian sports.
TIANBO Technology provides an online entertainment brand with a particular focus on security technology features such as data encryption.
Russia’s football league teams with fintech brand Tinkoff
Fintech firm Tinkoff has been revealed as the Russian Football Premier League’s (RFPL) principal partner in an arrangement that will span three seasons.
The agreement sees the Russian fintech company’s brand being integrated in RFPL’s various sponsorship opportunities including television broadcasts, digital platforms and in-stadia promotion during games, whilst also becoming title sponsors of the league.
Oliver Hughes, Chairman of the Management Board at Tinkoff Bank commented: “We at Tinkoff are delighted to become a title partner of the League and support the Russian football – something that many of our employees are passionate about.
“We see this partnership as an opportunity to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, including those in business and marketing integration.”
Tinkoff will be seeking to grow its offering by increasing its opportunities through the partnership with RFPL, including tapping into new channels to attract football fans and selling football tickets.
Sergey Pryadkin, RFPL President also praised the partnership: “We are happy to team up with Tinkoff, one of the leaders in its market, boasting innovative and dynamic business. We are deeply impressed by Tinkoff’s fresh and sporting character. It focuses on today’s energetic digital audience – the people we rely on strategically.
