Atlético Madrid's new stadium will be sponsored by Chinese property company Dalian Wanda Group and will be called the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, club president Enrique Cerezo said, according to Richard Martin of REUTERS. The club will move from the Vicente Calderón, its home for the last 50 years, to the new 67,000-capacity ground located to the northeast of the Spanish capital in August. Wanda has had ties with the club since Jan. '15 when it acquired 20% of the club's shares and "began sponsoring the training ground." Cerezo: "I am honored to say we have reached an agreement with Wanda to name our new stadium. They are the best partners on our journey to keep working for a better future." Metropolitano is "a reference to the club's first real stadium," the Metropolitano, its home until it moved to the Vicente Calderón in '66. Striker Fernando Torres said, "The fact Atlético thought of this second name is very exciting. ... Now soon I will be able to tell my grandfather that I played at the Metropolitano." Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín said, "We are very excited by this deal. Atlético and Wanda are growing global brands that want to keep growing and reach even more places. Wanda is a strategic partner and our change in stadium is not an isolated event, it's a step forward to the future." The club "also unveiled a modified badge" which will be on its shirts next season (REUTERS, 12/9). ESPN.com's Dermot Corrigan reported the club first announced plans in '09 to move to "a new home in the former athletics stadium La Peineta on the outskirts of the city." The project "has been hit by various setbacks over the years," but funding from Wanda "has solidified the club's finances." Wanda Chair Wang Jianlin "spoke via video-link," saying he was pleased his company was associated with "a stadium with the potential to host a Champions League or Europa League final." Wang: "We believe this deal will help grow the name of Wanda in Europe. I hope someday a European final will be played in the stadium." In October, 48% of respondents to a Marca online poll said that they would prefer "Estadio Luis Aragones," with 17% choosing "Nuevo Calderon" and just 8.5% "wanting a sponsor's name on their new home" (ESPN.com, 12/9).
$100M DEAL: In Madrid, Alberto R. Barbero reported the deal "includes a number of considerations that are gradually becoming known," for example that the sponsorship will be a minimum of €100M ($105.5M) spread over 10 years. An agreement signed in Beijing by Gil Marín is supposed to provide €10M ($10.5M) per season to the club. Sporting success and variables "will affect the final amount," but in "any case" the club is guaranteed €100M. The Metropolitano name "is seen as a recovery" of the club's history. The west platform of the new stadium "will be dedicated to history and tradition and will include elements that will be announced throughout the season" (MARCA, 12/11). MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported the money the club receives from Wanda "will not be the only revenue increase." It is predicted that taking into account individual game and season ticket sales -- as well as sponsorships -- the club's revenue will jump from €35M ($36.9M) to €45M ($47.5M) per year. Wanda Metropolitano will "also serve as the host of diverse events." The value of the deal "is similar to those at the clubs that generate the most revenue in Europe." Man City's deal for Etihad Stadium is worth €170M ($179M) over 10 years, Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena deal -- the club shares the stadium with 2nd Bundesliga side 1860 Munich -- is worth €240M over 35 years (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 12/11).
TAKEOVER TALKS?: ECODIARIO reported Atlético "could be on the verge of more changes." The club "could pass into the hands of Wanda, which wants to take total control at a meeting this weekend." The offer from Wanda "is reportedly worth" €220M ($232M). If Gil Marín "decides to accept the offer, the ownership transition would end a 29-year era" (ECODIARIO, 12/9).
