What makes a soccer sponsorship great? Sponsors can range from big brands like Pepsi to small companies like Gazprom. Sponsorships of soccer are a great way for you to reach a wider audience and increase your revenue. Soccer teams gain insight into their fans to make better sponsorship decisions. An active online presence for soccer teams is more likely than not to attract the right audience. Moreover, the average consumer expects brands to have an online presence.
PUMA is a soccer sponsor
The PUMA sponsors have come under fire for not just the Italian soccer team. The Israeli occupation authorities are treating Palestinian footballers with utmost cruelty. A petition has been launched against the sponsor. Tens of thousands of people signed it. But the public reaction has not been as muscular as the response to animal cruelty. PUMA has yet not publicly stated its position.
Pepsi
Pepsi and Coca-Cola have announced major league sponsorships. Coca-Cola has signed a four-year sponsorship deal for Major League Soccer. Pepsi was the first major brand to sponsor Major League Soccer. However, it has increased its sponsorships in the past few years. The company also sponsors several MLS teams, including FC Dallas and New York City FC. Pepsi also has the opportunity to promote its various brands through this partnership.
FedEx
FedEx has partnered to promote soccer by UEFA, which is the governing body for European soccer. The company will sponsor the UEFA Champions League, as well other competitions, over a three-year contract. FedEx will also be involved in the Uefa Youth League and UEFA Super Cup. FedEx has been the Europa League's sponsor since 2015, and will continue doing so until the 2020-21 season. It also holds the rights of UEFA EURO 2020 in addition to the Uefa nations league finals.
Gazprom
Gazprom's sponsorship for soccer has been controversial in recent months. Gazprom has been accused of supporting Russian companies by a number of European football clubs who have pulled their shirt sponsorships. Schalke 04 was one such team. It pulled its shirt sponsorship from Gazprom citing UEFA’s ethical guidelines. Europe and the globe have become more concerned about Russian-backed businesses. Gazprom, a Russian company that produces natural gas, is based in Saint Petersburg. The company is majority owned by the Russian government, and has a global presence in the soccer world.
Hisense
Hisense is no stranger in sponsorship as it is the largest TV manufacturer in the world. Hisense has been involved in numerous major events to increase brand awareness, such as the 2010 World Cup or the recent World Cup held in Russia. Hisense has seen a rise in awareness worldwide through sponsorships. Sponsorships go beyond boosting sales. They also help companies promote their products through global advertising campaigns and on-site engagement. Hisense will also get video-on–demand programming that draws inspiration from past World Cup events. Hisense customers will have access to this content via the VIDAA smart TV platform.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has announced that it will sponsor Germany's national soccer team. The brand wants to repair its image after last year's diesel emissions scandal. They also plan to move toward electric cars. Wolfsburg's automaker will spend big on a top-tier soccer team to achieve its goals. Experts are questioning the logic behind such an investment given the club’s low revenues and lack of an international fanbase.