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Football and all other sports disciplines are much more than just games. Yes, a typical fan sees them from one point of view, but we are talking about much more versatile phenomena with many different aspects.
One of the most notable aspects of sports is its business potential. Every competition, federation, or even an individual athlete can be considered a genuine business opportunity from the sponsors’ perspective. After all, these brands know that the quickest way to the target audience is through their favorite clubs or athletes. In this post, we are going to analyze the top sports sponsors in this massive industry.
5 Sport Sponsors worth Knowing
The biggest sponsors in sports have versatile backgrounds, but they all share one thing. We are talking about the target audience that perfectly corresponds with the average fan demographics. It means these companies are mainly targeting young and middle-aged men who can afford to buy their products or services. Here is our top five sport sponsors list.
Bet365
Bet365 is a prominent online wagering company, but most people don’t know it’s also a major player in sports sponsorship. This brand has an extensive involvement in football because it secured sponsorship deals with high-profile clubs in the English Premier League (Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion – to name but a couple).
These deals elevated Bet365's brand visibility in the UK, but local players can still reap
a lot of benefits from
offshore betting sites with boosted odds as well as some other bonus deals. For instance, certain offshore wagering providers give users quite high cashback bonuses that cannot be found anywhere else – including on Bet365.
- Net worth: Approximately $2.2 billion
- Notable campaign: Stoke City
stadium naming rights
Nike
Nike is a genuine behemoth in the sports industry, so it’s fair to assume that it doesn’t require a special introduction. After all, we bet you possess at least a few Nike items or even wearing them right now – that’s how strong the brand really is. Nike’s iconic swoosh symbolizes a commitment to excellence and empowerment.
It’s a pair of broad concepts, so it allows Nike to build an extensive sponsorship portfolio that stretches from elite athletes such as LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Serena Williams to small local clubs all over the world.
- Net worth: $161 billion
- Notable campaign:
LeBron James Nike commercial
Electronic Arts
Electronic sports are too big to neglect these days. Electronic Arts (EA) has strategically delved into the eSports community to promote competitive gaming. With franchises like FIFA or Madden NFL, this company became a key player in the entire eSports industry.
However, their commitment to eSports goes beyond gaming titles - as seen in partnerships with organizations like the FIFA eClub World Cup and the Apex Legends Global Series. What’s the purpose of this concept? The idea is to align EA with the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming so as to tap into the passion of eSports enthusiasts. This is a clever business move because the number
of eSports followers is reaching
some serious figures.
- Net worth: $38 billion
- Notable campaign: A
contract with Whisper, a broadcast production agency
Adidas
Adidas is a powerhouse in the sports apparel and footwear industry. As such, the brand has strategically woven itself into the fabric of sports through extremely impactful sponsorships. For instance, the company cooperates with athletes such as Lionel Messi and James Harden.
On the other hand, it also goes beyond individual endorsements to secure high-profile team sponsorships. For instance, they have a partnership with football clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United as well as collaborations with leagues such as the NHL.
- Net worth: $20 billion
- Notable campaign: A $1.1 billion
deal with Real Madrid
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is not exactly the healthiest beverage of all, but it doesn’t stop the brand from heavily investing in sports sponsorships. That way, Coca-Cola further advances its global brand presence to connect with all sorts of audiences.
The company has been a fixture in major sporting events, particularly the Olympic Games – it has been promoting it as an official sponsor for decades.
Coca-Cola's partnerships also extend to
football transfers and promotions thanks to its involvement in FIFA World Cup tournaments.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg since Coca-Cola invests some serious funds in almost all disciplines. The company sees this as a means of aligning
the brand with the shared celebration and unity that sports inspire worldwide.
- Net worth: $258 billion
- Notable campaign: A four-decade
sponsorship deal with FIFA