What makes a soccer sponsors great? This could be a major brand like Pepsi, or a small company like Gazprom. Soccer sponsors are a great option to increase revenue and draw in a wider audience. Soccer teams benefit from having audience data to help guide their sponsorship decisions. An active online presence for soccer teams is more likely than not to attract the right audience. Additionally, consumers expect brands to have an active online presence.
PUMA is a sponsor of soccer
It is not just the Italian team that PUMA sponsors that have been under fire. The Israeli occupation authorities are treating Palestinian footballers with utmost cruelty. A petition has been launched against the sponsor. Tens of thousands of people signed it. But the public reaction has not been as muscular as the response to animal cruelty. PUMA is yet to clarify its position.
Pepsi
Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi announced new sponsorships in major league sports. Coca-Cola has signed an agreement for sponsorship of the Major League Soccer for four years. Pepsi was the last major brand to sponsor Major League Soccer, but it has expanded its sponsorships over the past few years. The company also sponsors several MLS teams, including FC Dallas and New York City FC. Pepsi can also promote its brands through the partnership.
FedEx
FedEx has partnered to promote soccer by UEFA, which is the governing body for European soccer. This three-year deal will see the company sponsor the UEFA Champions League and other competitions. FedEx will also sponsor the Uefa Youth League (UEFA Super Cup), and Uefa eChampions League (UEFA Champions League). FedEx has been the Europa League's sponsor since 2015, and will continue doing so until the 2020-21 season. It also holds the rights to UEFA EURO 2020 and the Uefa Nations League finals.
Gazprom
Gazprom sponsoring soccer has been the topic of much controversy over recent months. Gazprom sponsored many European football teams. They were concerned that the shirt sponsors would support Russian businesses. Schalke 04, one of these teams, has pulled its shirt sponsorship form Gazprom citing UEFA ethical guidelines. Europe and the globe have become more concerned about Russian-backed businesses. Gazprom, a Russian company that produces natural gas, is based in Saint Petersburg. The company is majority owned by the Russian government, and has a global presence in the soccer world.
Hisense
Hisense is a major TV manufacturer and sponsor. Hisense has been involved with major events such as the 2010 World Cup, and the recent World Cup Russia. Hisense has seen a rise in awareness worldwide through sponsorships. Sponsorships are more than just sales - they help promote the company's products through local engagement and global advertising campaigns. Hisense will also get video-on–demand programming that draws inspiration from past World Cup events. Hisense customers will have access to this content via the VIDAA smart TV platform.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has agreed to sponsor the German national soccer league. Volkswagen is trying to rebuild its reputation following last year's diesel-emissions scandal. It also wants to shift to electric cars. Wolfsburg-based automaker has spent a lot of money to build a soccer team in Germany's top league. However, experts are questioning whether such an investment is justified given the club’s limited revenues as well as the absence of a global fan base.