England's national football team reached the semifinals of this year's World Cup.GETTY IMAGES
The FA is "set to rake in tens of millions of pounds from the vast increase in the England team's brand appeal since the World Cup," according to Tom Morgan of the London TELEGRAPH. Recent "optimism" around Manager Gareth Southgate's squad "has already delivered a bumper payday for the FA," with ticket sales "surging" and the most expensive Club Wembley deals -- costing up to £11,000 ($14,200) a year -- "close to selling out." Meanwhile, England execs are "secretly in advanced sponsorship talks" with an overseas-based "household name," which now "appears to be leading the race to become the team's new headline sponsor." Key talks between the global brand and senior FA officials reportedly took place this week. The FA is said to have been "deluged with approaches since England exceeded expectations" by reaching the semifinals in Russia. Sports marketing firm Synergy Chief Strategy Officer Carsten Thode said that advertisers are "particularly attracted by the optimism around the tarnish-free young squad." More investment in the women's game and grassroots football "are also major selling points." Saturday's UEFA Nations League encounter against Spain is "heading for a sell-out amid the feelgood factor." Crowds will be "more than double" the 40,000 that attended England's friendly with Norway after the 2014 World Cup (TELEGRAPH, 9/5).
