Much fun has been poked at Chelsea for their lack of a shirt sponsor in recent years but the west London club could find themselves unlikely trendsetters.
Next season the ban on gambling companies being on the front of shirts comes into force in the Premier League and word is that finding replacements has been something of a hard sell.
One frustrated exec explained that bookmakers from across the globe have been willing to pay a premium because of the ‘power’ of being visible on a top-flight jersey – which adds instant credibility and reassurance to would-be punters and encourages sign-ups.
Clubs are finding that such a premium is elusive outside of the gambling industry and are bracing themselves to pen deals at less than half the money. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the current 11, which includes the likes of Fulham, West Ham and Bournemouth, tend to be in the group that will be hit the hardest by lost revenue.
Multiple talks have been taking place and it is understood that Audi are among those to have been targeted by clubs, including the Hammers.
However, as the clock ticks the prospect of some starting the new season with a blank space in the middle of their shirts continues to grow – and is not a great look for the competition.
A brighter future for Wednesday?
The latest set of talks between Arise Capital Partners and the EFL with regards to their takeover of Sheffield Wednesday on Friday have been described as ‘positive’.
Inside Sport understands that the competition is satisfied with the business plans, budget and finance involved in the offer from an American consortium made up of investors David Storch, son Michael and Tom Costin. Sadly, former owner Dejphon Chansiri remains influential in the process.
The Thai businessman is the major creditor and failure to pay him 25p in the pound of the £60m debt owed to him would trigger an automatic 15-point deduction for the Owls next season. Chansiri could write off the debt, allowing the club to start afresh in League One, in what many view as the honourable move given it was spent as part of his tenure and that he has done enough damage at Hillsborough.
A precedent has been set at both Derby County, where former owner Mel Morris said goodbye to £100m and Wigan Athletic supremo Au Yeung Wai Kay wrote off £36m. Regardless, Chansiri’s next move remains to be seen. Should he refuse to budge then the EFL board will make the call but do not expect any leniency, given the impact it would have on other clubs in the competition who have complied with their rules.
No place like home
A decision over a venue for England’s second US tune-up remains elusive, with Miami and Orlando still in the running to stage their clash with Costa Rica.
Thomas Tuchel and his men will face New Zealand in Tampa on June 6 but a decision over the June 10 fixture is yet to have been made. Miami will be closer to England’s pre-tournament basecamp but Orlando would be likely to generate more revenue, thanks to a bigger stadium size. News is expected within the fortnight.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s home friendly with Japan at Wembley is now a sell-out, which further underlines a depth of support enjoyed by the Three Lions which is the envy of world football.
Around 60,000 tickets have also been shifted for the Lionesses clash with Spain at the same venue next month, a repeat of the last World Cup and European Championship finals.
He who laughs last
It may not have been a night to remember for Manchester City earlier this month when Real Madrid completed a 5-1 aggregate Champions League victory, but that is not to say points were not scored, at least by one official from the home side.
Following the match, Real forward Vinicius Junior was making his way through the mixed zone in the bowels of the Etihad Stadium when a City representative drew his attention to a large mural of Rodri, captioned ‘2024 Ballon D’Or winner’.
Vinicius and his team-mates famously and petulantly boycotted the 2024 event after learning that the panel had seen fit to hand the prize to the City man, and the resultant scowl perhaps hinted that some discontent lingers.
More glory for Rory?
Rory McIlroy’s triumph at last year’s Masters cost one golf travel firm a cool £1m – and the outfit is doubling down as the Northern Irishman seeks to retain the green jacket.
Your Golf Travel gave away the seven-figure sum in trips last year and have now launched a ‘Back-to-Back Payback’ campaign. It means that any golfers making a new qualifying booking before Tuesday will receive the entire value of their break back as free credit to use against their next trip if McIlroy wins again.
More than 1,600 benefited last year, with qualifying trips booked to 19 countries across four continents, with the biggest package valued at £24,000.
