Shorts: Wolves, Chess, Brighton

Wolverhampton Wanders has announced a new deal with cross-border payments and foreign exchange (FX) fintech Neo.

The deal sees Neo become Wolves’ official foreign currency exchange partner ahead of the 2024/25 season.

As per the agreement, Neo will handle the Premier League football club’s FX and multi-currency transfer payments while ‘helping Wolves save on its currency FX transaction costs.’

The deal is the Barcelona-based fintech’s first partnership with a European football club.

Russell Jones, Wolves’ General Manager for Marketing and Commercial Growth, said, “Foreign exchange management is an important element of the commercial side of our football club.

“It’s vital that we work with trusted partners to ensure our processes are optimised and we are confident that our partnership with Neo will add value to our global operations.”

The second edition of the Global Chess League, scheduled to take place in London from October 3rd to 12th, has announced Chess.com as its official platform partner.

According to a statement, the multi-year partnership with the world’s largest online chess platform aims will see Chess.com provide comprehensive coverage of the tournament through various digital channels and ‘also serve as the platform partner for a series of fan, school, and university tournaments that replicate the unique and innovative format of the league.’

Brighton & Hove Albion plans to use football for good through a new three-year ‘strategic alliance’ with children’s charity Unicef.

As part of the partnership, which marks the start of a long-term initiative to combine Albion’s footballing expertise with Unicef’s experience in child rights, the Premier League football club will make a significant financial donation to the children’s agency to help them deliver vital aid and resources.

Unicef UK Chief Partnerships Officer, Mohini Raichura-Brown, said, “Every child deserves to enjoy a happy, healthy, and safe childhood, but global crises like conflict, disease, and climate change are increasingly endangering the lives of children worldwide.

“We are delighted to announce our three-year partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion FC, which will support Unicef in its mission to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. With Brighton & Hove Albion’s generous support, we can scale up our efforts to support the wellbeing of children everywhere.”

EFL League One football club Exeter City has extended its partnership with front-of-shirt sponsor HEL Performance.

The new long-term partnership, described as the club’s biggest ever sponsorship deal, sees the manufacturing company extend its relationship with the club until 2029.

The deal spans the men’s and women’s teams as well as the academy. 

Matthew Dawes, Commercial Manager at Exeter City Football Club, said, “We are delighted that HEL Performance has extended its sponsorship. We feel extremely fortunate to have such a committed partner, and this really does feel like a partnership. They are a fantastic company and it is a privilege for us to be able to support their aims and ambitions.”

EFL Championship football club Swansea City has extended its partnership with Peter Lynn & Partners, which sees the solicitors retain its status as the club’s official legal partner for an eighth-consecutive season.

As the club’s official legal partner, the Swansea-based law firm will continue to offer its full portfolio of services to academy, women’s and men’s players and staff.

The six-figure deal will see the firm’s distinctive branding displayed throughout the Swansea.com Stadium, and also includes a continuation of the naming rights for the Peter Lynn & Partners Lounge.

Swansea City Chairman, Andy Coleman, said, “The club has established an excellent working relationship with Peter and his team over recent years.

“Their breadth of knowledge across a wide range of legal areas gives the club a level of backing that goes above and beyond, and we are delighted to continue our partnership for an eighth season.”

EFL Championship football club Hull City FC has announced Safiport as a new principal partner and back-of-shirt and academy sponsor.

The deal will see Safiport’s branding appear on the back of all three first-team kits and the front of all academy shirts from the Under-8 to Under-21 age groups for the 2024/25 season.

Branding will also be visible at the MKM Stadium on home matchdays on the LED advertising boards and on interview backdrops for pre and post-match media commitments.

Hull City Chairman Acun Ilıcalı commented, “We are really grateful to Mustafa Hakan Safi and everyone at Safiport for their support and delighted to welcome them to our Hull City family.

“Teaming up with another high-profile Turkish partner demonstrates the continued and increasing growth of the club overseas and in my country.

“Safiport have shown their commitment by not only sponsoring the back of the shirts for the first team, but also the shirts for our academy and supporting the next generation of talent.”