Wolves Start EPL Life with New Shirt Sponsor

Wolverhampton Wanderers dominated the 2017/18 campaign in the second tier of English football and having been promoted as champions, an exciting new era awaits for the West Midlands club.

Like any side who has just made their way up from the Championship, it’s important to get the finances in order so news of a sponsorship deal with iGaming provider W88 has come as a timely announcement.

Bouncing Back

Having made their way back into the top tier, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has already been strengthening his squad for the new campaign. Commercial deals are vital to supplement income needed for transfer fees and player wages so W88’s involvement is most welcome.

The deal is for an initial two years and although the exact financial terms have not been made public, this is said to be the biggest sponsorship contract in the history of the club. W88 will replace previous sponsor The Money Shop, who exercised the break clause in their own contract and the sportsbook and casino will now have their logo emblazoned on players’ shirts from the start of the 2018/19 season.

At such an important stage in the club’s history, it’s a deal that has been welcomed on all sides.

Delight

We are delighted to confirm W88 as our shirt sponsor for Wolves’ first season back in the Premier League and we are thoroughly looking forward to working with them moving forwards,

said Wolves’ Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple.

The commitment they have shown Wolves even extends to them allowing their logo to be changed to black and grey to complement our old gold, rather than their brand’s usual blue colour, something which we are very grateful for.

In response, W88’s Business Development Manager Hilly Ehrlich added:

We are absolutely thrilled to partner Wolves, a respected football club with a rich sporting heritage that has helped to shape modern football today.

This partnership is a major step for us in expanding our global footprint and we look forward to working with the club to engage the fans and supporters of Wolves, both in the UK and worldwide.

Clues to Success

The quotes made at these times can be interesting and in this case, they offer clues as to the aims of the two parties involved. For the football club, it’s obvious that they want to establish themselves in the Premier League and they now have a boost to their finances that will help them do just that.

W88 have said that they want to expand globally and therefore we could expect similar deals in the future. Lastly, it’s worth noting that comment about changing the colour of their logo to fit the club. It may seem like a small point but the previous arrangement with The Money Shop wasn’t a popular one so that is a great way to get fans onside.

Strengthening

Even when the season was more than two months away, Wolves were thinking ahead with the signing, on loan, of Benfica striker Raul Jimenez. Even though most pundits felt, last year, that the club already had a side capable of playing in the Premier League, the manager will want to strengthen that squad and look to finish as high up the table as possible.

W88’s input is therefore vital but the deal isn’t just a ‘one-way street’. In return for their backing, the iGaming company gets huge exposure through those shirt logos and via advertising across Wolves’ Molineux stadium.

It’s a well-balanced deal, therefore, and it will be fascinating to see if it helps Wolves consolidate and start life back in the Premier League in a positive fashion.