With remarkable timing after yesterday's post on stadium naming rights and tradition in sport by John Considine, it is reported today that Barcelona have agreed to a deal with Intel to have the chip-maker's logo on the inside of their players' shirts. The positioning is not just a play on the Intel slogan but will, according to media accounts, be strategically placed to be seen if and when players put their shirts over their heads in a traditional goal celebration.
It is notable that this deal involves Barcelona, a club that for so long refused to have sponsorship on their shirts. In 2006 they agreed to put UNICEF's logo on their shirts. Their first commercial sponsorship was not until the 2011/12 season when Qatar Sports Investments, which saw Qatar Foundation on their shirts for two seasons followed by Qatar Airways this year. For comparison, Manchester United's first sponsor, Sharp, appeared in 1982/3, Liverpool (the first professional club) had Hitachi in 1979 and Real Madrid started with Zanussi in 1982/3.
It is notable that this deal involves Barcelona, a club that for so long refused to have sponsorship on their shirts. In 2006 they agreed to put UNICEF's logo on their shirts. Their first commercial sponsorship was not until the 2011/12 season when Qatar Sports Investments, which saw Qatar Foundation on their shirts for two seasons followed by Qatar Airways this year. For comparison, Manchester United's first sponsor, Sharp, appeared in 1982/3, Liverpool (the first professional club) had Hitachi in 1979 and Real Madrid started with Zanussi in 1982/3.
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