The FA Premier League today announced that Barclays had been awarded the global title sponsorship rights.
From season 2004/’05 through to the 2006/’07 season the competition will be known as the Barclays Premiership.
The decision followed a meeting today of the F.A. Premier League Clubs who approved the new sponsorship deal, which is worth £57 million over the 3 seasons.
Barclays see the sponsorship of the world’s best domestic football league as a major strategic investment. It follows Barclaycard’s successful three-year spell as league sponsors.
Barclaycard Chief Executive Gary Hoffman, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Barclays, said: “This is an exciting development and underlines our long-term commitment to football as a group.
“Football is far and away the nation’s favourite sport and is growing in popularity so it makes sense for us in terms of our presence here in the UK. It also fits our international presence and I believe this provides us with powerful brand visibility in the many markets around the world in which we operate.
“We will be looking to use the expertise we have gained over the past three years to develop the sponsorship for fans, banking customers and staff. We aim to create even more opportunities for fans to engage with football through the Barclays Premiership.”
FA Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “We are very pleased to continue our association with Barclays Group. It is testament to the successful relationship we have enjoyed with Barclaycard as well as the continued domestic and global popularity of the FA Premier League that Barclays view us as the ideal sponsorship property to drive their business at home and abroad.
“This is an excellent deal for our Clubs and given Barclays’ commitment to further develop the sponsorship for fans and other elements of the game we believe the relationship offers excellent value to all parties involved.”
The deal is for the global title sponsorship of the FA Premier League and includes exclusive world-wide marketing rights, UK and international TV programme credits and branding in 170 countries, an extensive advertising package which covers perimeter boards, interview backdrops, exclusive awards and match programmes and a significant amount of tickets and hospitality. The agreement also installs Barclays as sponsors of the Premier League’s proposed new community coaching scheme.
Barclaycard originally signed a three-year deal in April 2001 for £48m. Since then it has injected £4m into grassroots football through its Free Kicks programme, attracted 250,000 customers to the Premiership Barclaycard - making it the UK’s biggest sports affinity card – and completed a deal with Manchester United to market their club credit and debit cards globally outside the UK.
For further information please contact:
FA Premier League Press Office on: 0207 298 1690
Barclaycard Press Office on: 01604 254168
Notes to Editors
Please note that there is still one season of the Barclaycard Premiership to run and this announcement will have no impact on the current season in terms of regular activity and day to day contact with the Barclaycard sponsorship team.
