JUST IN:”Palace Secures Controversial Sponsorship Deal Ahead of Ban…Read more
“Palace Inks Contentious Sponsorship Deal Just Before Ban Takes Effect”
Crystal Palace has sparked significant controversy among its fanbase by announcing NET88, an Asian betting company, as their new front-of-shirt sponsor for the next two seasons. This deal coincides with the Premier League’s upcoming ban on gambling-related sponsorships.
The club described the agreement with NET88 as a “record deal” in terms of revenue. The company’s logo will feature on Palace’s shirts for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, the final period in which Premier League clubs can display gambling companies as main shirt sponsors before the new regulations take effect.
This announcement followed closely on the heels of Wolves’ similar sponsorship deal with the Vietnamese betting site ‘Debet’. These moves illustrate a rush by clubs to finalize profitable deals with betting firms ahead of the impending sponsorship restrictions.
The reaction from Crystal Palace fans has been largely negative. Many expressed their disappointment on social media, questioning the club’s decision to partner with a relatively unknown betting company like NET88. Concerns were raised about the due diligence conducted for this partnership, especially given NET88’s meager 44 followers on social media at the time of the announcement and its lack of basic information such as a web address.
A major issue for fans is the portrayal of NET88 as an “online gaming services” provider, while it is primarily a gambling site. This has led to calls for further scrutiny of NET88’s business operations and its sudden emergence in football sponsorship.
Compounding the skepticism, the NET88 website experienced downtime soon after the sponsorship was announced, initially showing only a holding page promising that the site would be live “soon”. This did little to inspire confidence in the stability and transparency of the new partnership.
Despite the mixed reactions from fans, Palace’s chief commercial officer, Barry Webber, expressed optimism about the new partnership. He emphasized the club’s recent achievements, including having four players selected for the England Euros squad, and commended NET88 for its global reach and dedication to sports and gaming enthusiasts.
A NET88 spokesperson echoed this positive outlook in the official press release, stating, “Everyone at NET88 is excited to work with Crystal Palace after a fantastic end to last season. We are delighted to join a club that is progressing with their great young talent. We are proud to be the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor and aim to build a successful relationship with the team and their passionate fans.”
As the Premier League prepares for significant changes in sponsorship regulations, the Crystal Palace-NET88 deal will undoubtedly serve as a case study in balancing commercial gains with fan expectations and ethical considerations. The upcoming seasons will determine whether this partnership can overcome its controversial beginning and become a mutually beneficial arrangement.
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