SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Betway has announced a long-term partnership with West Ham United which will see the company become the Club’s new principal sponsor, replacing bankrupt currency and spread betting firm Alpari
The deal will see the Betway logo feature on the front of all of the Club’s senior teams’ playing shirts and trainingwear, starting with Sunday’s first-team fixture with Manchester United, along with naming rights to the Boleyn Ground’s West Stand.
The new partnership will cover an incredibly exciting period for West Ham, who start their final season at the Boleyn Ground in August before moving to a state-of-the-art new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park the following summer.
Betway’s Executive Director Bob Dutnall said: “West Ham United are a club with a rich history and passionate supporters and we’re thrilled to have secured this sponsorship at a time when the team are performing so well. The Barclays Premier League is the world’s most popular football competition and the sport is synonymous with excitement and betting, making it a perfect fit for our growing brand.
“We are looking forward to supporting the Hammers on the pitch and rewarding their fans off it with innovative Betway offers and special markets.”
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “We are pleased to welcome Betway to the Club as our new principal sponsor, in what is our biggest-ever commercial deal. Like us, Betway are an ambitious, forward-thinking company and the size of the agreement reflects our status as one of the fastest growing brands in world football.
“Betway join us at one of the most exciting periods in our history and we will be working closely with them as we prepare to bid an emotional farewell to our home of more than 110 years before moving into our stunning new Stadium in 2016.”
This is the second time that a betting operator has replaced a problematic sponsor for West Ham in mid-season. SBOBet had previously taken over shirt sponsorship duties from travel firm XL when the firm went bust in 2008.
