Aston Villa Forsakes Almost $4M To Support Charity On Jerseys
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Aston Villa Dropping 32Red As Jersey
Sponsor For Childrens' Hospice |
English Premier League (EPL) club Aston Villa for the '08-09 season will wear the name of Acorns Childrens' Hospice on their uniforms, forgoing "about [US$3.9M] in sponsorship," according to Peter Lansley of the LONDON TIMES. Aston Villa's two-year jersey sponsorship deal with betting company 32Red, "thought to be worth" US$3.91M annually, expired after the '07-08 season, and the team has "turned down new offers in favour of this philanthropic venture." Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill: "I am very proud to be associated with such an initiative. We hopefully can provide over the next 12 months the platform that Acorns clearly deserves." Acorns CEO David Strudley: "We're over the moon at having our name on Aston Villa's shirts next season and having the opportunity to raise funds for children." Lansley notes Aston Villa is the first EPL team to "use their status for a non-profitmaking shirt deal." Spain's La Liga club Barcelona FC in '06 signed a five-year deal with Unicef (LONDON TIMES, 6/4). Aston Villa Owner Randy Lerner has "strongly supported the agreement," and Aston Villa Head of Community Duncan Riddle said, "We regard this partnership as more important and more valuable to us than any commercial opportunity presented to us" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 6/4). More Riddle, "Yes, the shirts have monetary value, but they also have emotional value to fans and this is something to give back to them" (SOCCERNET.ESPN.com, 6/3).
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