MLS expansion club Inter Miami CF’s kit sponsorships still are being negotiated, as “nothing has been finalized,” and because of its “global reach, the club is working on jersey sponsors related to tourism companies such as airlines, cruise lines and hotel chains,” according to a source cited by Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Kaufman notes a leaked photo of a stack of Inter Miami kits with "'Qatar Airways' emblazoned across the front went viral” yesterday, “sparking rumors that the club had signed a sponsorship deal with the airline.” U.K.-based tabloid The Sun reported that a $234M deal “was done.” The country of Qatar at one point “wanted to invest in the Inter Miami ownership group, but those plans never materialized.” Inter Miami co-Owner David Beckham has a “long relationship with Qatar,” dating to ‘13, when he played for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, which is owned by Qatar Sports Investments. The Qataris of late have “gotten increasingly involved in sports sponsorships around the world” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/18). THE SUN’s Clemmie Moodie reported the deal was "signed two weeks ago," following "weeks of secret talks with the controversial Arab state." A source said, "Qatar is keen to drive investments overseas to improve and soften its image. Miami and the Beckham brand fits perfectly with this” (THE SUN, 2/17).
