SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Cycling’s Tour de France management has confirmed that French sports betting operator Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) will not renew its sponsorship of the Tour’s Green Racing Jersey. The sports betting operator has been replaced by Czech car manufacturer Skoda.
The announcement of its cancellation brings to an end a historic sponsorship of the Green Jersey by PMU which had sponsored the jersey for more than 25 years. The Green Jersey is worn by the leading cyclist of the Grand Tour’s race point qualification.Previous winners include Isle of Man cyclist Mark Cavendish and legendary German sprint cyclist Erik Zabel.
French media news sources had speculated that PMU would withdraw its sponsorship, following a review of its marketing and French sporting activity. Benoit Cornu Communications Director for PMU had further stated that the company needed a higher visibility sport that could target PMU’s core audience better than cycling.
This years Tour de France will be the first time in 25 years that PMU will not be involved as a sponsor. The operator has decided to focus its branding and marketing on sponsorship of French football, backing Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain.
