Report Speculates Barclays Won't Renew Premier League Sponsorship In '16

Premier League sponsor Barclays downsizing its sponsorship operation "strongly points to the bank pulling out of their flagship football contract when it expires in two years’ time," according to Charles Sale of the London DAILY MAIL. Barclays is "understood to be closing down the sponsorship office in Northampton which has been the focal point of their Premier League operation" since sister company Barclaycard backed the competition between '01-04. Barclays has been the title sponsor for the last decade, but there were reports earlier this year that senior figures in the bank believed the £40M ($66M)-a-year deal had "zero value" in the U.K. The London sponsorship office will stay open to manage the £120M ($198M) contract for two more seasons. A Barclays spokesperson said, "We are committed to our sponsorship strategy supporting the brand" (DAILY MAIL, 3/24).