Chelsea in Talks with Riyadh Air Over Main Shirt Sponsorship Deal
Chelsea football club executives recently met with representatives from Saudi state airline Riyadh Air to discuss a potential front-of-shirt sponsorship deal from the 2024-2025 season, according to The Athletic.
The Infinite Athlete deal is only intended for the current 23-24 season
Chelsea Hold Talks With Riyadh Air & Betting Site Kaiyun Over Main Shirt Sponsor Deal From 2024-25 Season
If accepted by the Premier League, Chelsea's prospective front-of-shirt deal with Infinite Athlete would only expected to be for the remainder of this season. For the 2024-2025 season and beyond, Chelsea would be already looking for a new front-of-shirt sponsor.
Riyadh Air, which sponsor Atletico Madrid for a few weeks, are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which are also the majority owner of Newcastle United. Although the airline has not yet flown a plane and is not expected to do so until 2025, the partnership deal with Chelsea will help boost their image in the footballing world.
However, Chelsea would be also in talks with other companies to grow their commercial revenue, including the betting website Kaiyun Sports, which recently signed a deal with Nottingham Forest.
According to sources within the club, Chelsea are looking to secure a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal worth up to £60 million ($75 million) per year for both their men's and women's teams. The club aims to compete with Arsenal's Emirates shirt deal.
Earlier, Chelsea had to call off a potential front-of-shirt deal with gambling website Stake following a fan-led backlash. The club have been looking for a prospective partner to replace mobile network Three, with whom they had a deal earlier.
Chelsea x Riyadh Air Main Shirt Sponsor Deal`?
- Chelsea met with representatives from Saudi state airline Riyadh Air to discuss a potential front-of-shirt sponsorship deal from the 2024-2025 season.
- Chelsea also met with Chinese-influenced betting company Kaiyun Sports
- Chelsea's prospective deal with Infinite Athlete is intended only for the 2023-2024 season.
- Riyadh Air are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which are also the majority owner of Newcastle United.
- Chelsea are looking to secure a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal worth up to £60 million ($75 million) per year for both their men's and women's teams.
Do you think we will see Riyadh Air on the front of Chelsea's kits in the 2024-2025 seaso? Do you think Premier League will approve Chelsea's Infinite Athlete deal? Let us know in the comments below.
