Ambitious poker operator joins the big league by sponsoring footy club
After initially being linked with Manchester United, Mansion have signed a massive shirt sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The move sees the ambitious gaming group enter the big time of sports sponsorship, representing one of the world’s ten largest club partnership agreements.
The four-year shirt sponsorship becomes effective on July 1 2006 and is worth a minimum of £34 million over the four seasons from 2006/7 to 2009/10.
This includes a contribution of £1.5 million to Tottenham’s community scheme aimed at helping young people in the local area.
In July 2006, when Tottenham Hotspur’s new Puma playing kit is launched to fans, Mansion will become only the fourth brand ever to appear on the shirt in the 25 years since sponsors were first permitted.
Mansion will partner Tottenham Hotspur across a wide range of commercial activities including the extension and expansion of the Club’s brand into key territories across Asia and other important international markets.
Also on the cards is the development of an international supporters’ club to support the brand, significant support for the Club’s work with adults in the community in the UK and overseas, a co-branded internet gaming site with shared revenues.
David Kinsman, Chief Operating Officer, Mansion, said: "We are investing considerably in the development of our brand and we have been looking to secure a major Premier League deal for some time. We looked at five or six Clubs before focusing our attention on Tottenham Hotspur. This Club has a long and successful history, great traditions and a wonderful brand, both in the UK and internationally.”
He continued: “Spurs have enjoyed an excellent season with European football to look forward to next year. We see this deal as an excellent opportunity to play a major part in the ongoing international development of both the Mansion and Tottenham Hotspur brands over the course of at least the next 4 years. With one of the Premiership’s youngest and most talented playing squads, we at Mansion see this as a very exciting time to partner Tottenham."
Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur, said: "We are delighted to have Mansion as our new partner. The progress the Club has made both on and off the pitch in recent years meant that we were able to consider a number of potential sponsorship deals. Mansion represented the best partnership opportunity for Spurs, in commercial terms and, just as importantly, in respect of the excellent synergy between the two organisations.”