The FA plans to question Premier League side West Ham United over "the sponsorship of their women’s team by a leading sports management agency," according to Matt Lawton of the London DAILY MAIL. Based on "claims from within the club," the deal to have the logo for Unique Sports Management on the back of the shirts of the West Ham women’s team "is the biggest of its kind in the FA Women’s Super League." It is believed to be worth close to £250,000 ($319,000), although neither the club nor USM will confirm this -- "or whether the deal is just for this season or a number of seasons." West Ham is "unhappy" that an arrangement which supports its women’s team -- when it "remains difficult to secure such levels if sponsorship in the women’s game" -- is being scrutinized. It is "likely" FA officials "will want to know the circumstances in which USM were asked to sponsor the team" which is run by the 19-year-old son of West Ham co-Owner David Sullivan. USM reportedly represents five current members of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad (DAILY MAIL, 1/9).
