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What’s the story?
NorthEast United FC are all set to get their primary shirt sponsor for the ongoing ISL 2017 season, after already having played their first three matches of the fourth edition of the tournament.
In case you didn’t know…
The Highlanders have been on a mixed bag of form this season, as they drew one, lost one and won one. They had a rather sluggish star in their first two matches, as they drew 0-0 against Jamshedpur FC, and slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chennaiyin FC.
Heart of the matter
NEUFC is one of the clubs in ISL, that boasts of a large fan base. The likes of ATK in Kolkata, Kerala Blasters in Kochi, and Chennaiyin FC have large fans bases, and with Bengaluru FC joining the ISL, the tournament seems to be spreading its roots.
With a large fan base, comes the opportunity for the clubs to market their products, get higher value for their sponsors. However, NEUFC have, as of now, not been able to garner a front-sponsor for their shirt.
While the Highlanders have been playing with a blank shirt in their first three games of the season, they are close to roping in a front-sponsor for their match day kits, an official within the club revealed to Sportskeeda. However, the official refused to reveal who the club is currently in talks with.
According to the official, the club expects to close down the deal ahead of their upcoming home game against the high-flying Bengaluru FC, on Friday, December 8.
The lack of front-sponsors, however, does not seem to have affected them with regards to the financial side of things as such.
“Yes, the front-sponsor brings in a fair amount, but we have been able to garner sponsors on the other areas in the jersey. They have made up for a front sponsor,” said the official.
What’s next?
With their front-sponsor revenue already taken care of from the other areas, NEUFC will now look forward to earning further extra revenue, something that could eventually help them in their football operations in the future.
Author’s take?
While purists may frown upon shirt sponsorship in football, the modern economics of the game demand such models in order for a club to sustain itself. It has always been a give-and-take relationship between fans and clubs. That is still the case, though the dimensions may have changed. A club with a bigger fan base will invariably garner higher amounts for sponsorships.
