Article Taxonomy: Marketing

Barca fans split over shirt move

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Barcelona is more than a football club: literally it is because it is involved in other sports as is often the case in continental Europe.  But more than that is a symbol of Catalan nationalism and is linked to memories of the Republican side in the Spanish civil war. 


 It is also held up as an example of how fans can own and run a club.  Unfortunately, this seems to have led to massive and almost unmanageable debts which is why Barca has had to compromise its principles and accept a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal from the Qatar Foundation.

39th game is back on agenda

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New Livepool chairman Tom Werner has put the controversial idea of a 39th game back on the football agenda.   The idea was originally advanced in 2008 and would involve Premier League teams playing an additional competitive game in a variety of locations across the world including Asia, the Middle East and the United States.

Is code sharing bad for football?

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One of the challenges in making a profit, or at least not making too big a loss, in football is the stadium.   You have a substantial capital asset which across the year is used about once a fortnight.  There are options, of course.   You can put shops and small businesses under the cantilevered stands: Utrecht is a good example.   You can rent out your suites for meetings and conferences, but that is a competitive business and you need a high quality, well located facilities.   Pop concerts or other events tend to mess up the pitch and are proba

Pie war breaks out

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‘Who ate all the pies?’ is a favourite old football chant.   Some years ago Charlton had a rotund trainer who used to throw a pie into the crowd after each time he went on the pitch.  But now a pie war has broken out between an established supplier and a newcomer.  As always when there is real competition, the fan as consumer could benefit.

Sponsorship boost for Chelsea

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Chelsea has agreed a lucrative long-term sponsorship deal with adidas which means that the sportswear brand continues in its role as kit supplier.   At over £20m the deal brings them closer to the £23m that Manchester United secured last year from Nike and moves them way ahead of Arsenal.   However, they are still some way behind the £26.6m earned by Barcelona.