EPL club Chelsea announced that Samsung “took up an option to renew” its $23.9M (all figures U.S.) jersey sponsorship with the team through ‘15, according to Tariq Panja of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Chelsea signed a partnership agreement with the South Korean electronics maker in ‘05. The contract began with Samsung paying $17.6M per season "as the company replaced Emirates airline on the front of Chelsea’s blue jerseys.” That agreement was extended at $24M “five years later, and Samsung had until June 1 to take up its option to renew for a further three seasons.” Chelsea’s contract with Samsung is “among the biggest in English soccer, though lower than the sums negotiated by Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 9/6). Samsung “waited until after Chelsea's Champions League win to take up its option” (PA, 9/7).
NEW RAPIDS JERSEYS: In Denver, Eric Gorski reports the MLS Rapids yesterday unveiled their '13-14 home jerseys that will feature the "names of season-ticket holders interwoven into their fabric," but they are still "missing one important name: that of a corporate sponsor." Rapids President Tim Hinchey has "put a premium on securing the first jersey sponsor" in the club's history. He said that a "handshake deal in summer 2011 -- with a company he declined to identify -- fell apart." Gorski noted the new adidas jerseys "remain burgundy but now feature white sleeves in a show of solidarity" with EPL club Arsenal. Both teams are owned by Stan Kroenke. The uniforms also include a "small Colorado flag on the bottom left of the jersey front" (DENVERPOST.com, 9/9).
