Renewal of Samsung’s Chelsea sponsorship may depend on Champions League outcome

May 15, 2012

Chelsea’s jersey sponsorship contract with Samsung may depend on the result of the Champions League final on May 19.

The South Korean electronics manufacturer, which became Chelsea’s shirt sponsor in July 2005, will decide on whether to renew its annual $21million deal by the end of this month, according to Samsung’s vice president and head of worldwide sports marketing, Sunny Hwang.

“Being associated with a winning team is much better than a failing team so it’s natural that Samsung should wish Chelsea could win,” Hwang said “Of course that will play an important role when we decide whether or not we renew the contract.”

The current agreement expires at the end of next season, when the club may not compete in the Champions League for the first time since Roman Abramovich became owner. The only chance Chelsea has to qualify is by beating Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Chelsea’s current shirt sponsorship with Samsung is reportedly the fifth-highest in European football.
{jcomments on}