Shorts: Man City, Lancashire Cricket, ECB
An investigation is underway into potential rule breaking at Premier League club Manchester City, claims German newspaper Der Spiegel. It is reported to be focused on illegal payments for underage players, inflated sponsorship deals and hidden salary payments made to a former manager.
Club sponsors in Abu Dhabi are alleged to have ‘provided only a portion of their payments to the club themselves’, with the remainder reportedly made up by club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family.
The report suggests that the Premier League has been investigating City for three years. It is understood the club believes that the latest details are a continuation of previous allegations in relation to Financial Fair Play regulations, which they feel are designed to damage the club. It is thought the club also want to respect the ongoing process with the Premier League and will not be commenting.
Lancashire Cricket has announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with international law firm CMS. The partnership will see CMS branding displayed across the venue’s mid-tier LED boards and the top of Emirates Old Trafford’s in-bowl scoreboard, providing exposure during all international and domestic fixtures played at the venue, as well as engaging with club’s supporters in-bowl and digital channels.
Chief Executive at Lancashire Cricket, Daniel Gidney, said, “We are thrilled to have CMS on board as the latest partner of the club, recognising the unique branding opportunities that we can provide to multiple audiences. This is an exciting partnership for us and a fantastic opportunity to work with a likeminded organisation with significant international reach, who share our brand values and long-term vision.”
Following the recent confirmation of a long-term partnership between the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Castore, the sportswear brand has unveiled a new high-performance training range for all of England’s national teams – including Women, Disability, Pathway and Men. The bespoke kit design will be worn by the England men’s team at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup this Autumn and the women’s team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023.
Key players from the men’s, women’s and disability teams collaborated extensively with Castore to create an IT20 kit that is specific to the needs of an elite-level cricketer, incorporating specially selected fabrics. Athletes such as Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Katie George and Chris Edwards were integral to the design process.
St.Helens R.F.C. has announced the renewal of its sponsorship deal with official hydration partner iPRO. iPRO will continue to provide its Sport Edition range to the Super League club’s men’s team, taking the partnership into its fourth successive year. The partnership will also see the rugby league club’s women’s team benefit from iPRO’s hydration drinks.
St Helens Head of Strength & Conditioning, Matt Daniels, commented, “iPRO are still the best in the marketplace. The product includes vital vitamins, electrolytes and minerals and is a healthier alternative to other drinks on the market. We always want to find an edge to our performance and this can only drive our work towards that goal.”
Sam Ellis has been appointed as Red Consultancy’s Head of Sport, returning to the agency after more than five years away. In his new role, Ellis will lead the London-based agency’s long-standing grassroots football programme with McDonald’s, Sport England’s #ThisGirlCan campaign and supporting Emirates’ sponsorship portfolio.
Ellis commented, “I am thrilled to return to Red. The business already holds a diverse range of sports accounts, and I am looking forward to broadening that portfolio. Sport remains a hugely powerful asset for brands, particularly those seeking to invest in helping build strong communities.”
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