Chelsea Strikes Deal With Caa
Chelsea has signed a marketing partnership with one of Hollywood’s most powerful talent agencies Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
As part of the contract, CAA Sports will arrange sponsorship and marketing deals for Chelsea and its star players in the US and other international markets.
The company made its first foray into football last year when it helped orchestrate David Beckham’s transfer from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy. CAA represents Simon Fuller, Beckham’s manager and owner of 19 Management.
The Chelsea-CAA deal also covers branding, tours and stadium development. Chelsea is keen to expand its Stamford Bridge ground in west London while CAA Sports recently won a tender with the New York Yankees baseball franchise to market a corporate sponsorship for the new Yankee Stadium.
CAA Sports is only two years old but has become the dominant player in US sports talent, representing more than 400 athletes, after being founded by two IMG talent managers.
Its entertainment division is well established including the likes of George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts on its books.
The company sees football as its next growth business and has signed several deals for Beckham. It also brokered Freddie Ljundberg’s transfer from Arsenal to West Ham and has struck endorsements for Ronaldinho, Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder.
