Grundig Set To End Naming-Rights Deal For Football Arena In Nuremberg At The End Of '15

Nuremberg's football arena "will lose its stadium naming rights partner at the end of the year," according to Nils Lehnebach of SPONSORs. Electronics brand Grundig will end its deal with the stadium -- home of 2nd Bundesliga side FC Nuremberg -- at the end of '15. Grundig "has been the arena's naming-rights partner since '13." Back then, reports suggested the company signed a four-year deal through the end of the '16-17 season. However, Grundig and the city, which owns the stadium, "signed a two-year deal with an option to extend the partnership." The parties did not make use of the option but agreed to extend the deal for a further six months. Grundig paid an estimated €800,000 ($883,000) annually for the rights. The company "is also a second-tier partner of FC Nuremberg." The partnership, which runs until '17, "will not be affected by the decision." The city "has not yet found a replacement for Grundig, but it has engaged in talks and negotiations with potential partners" (SPONSORs, 10/27).