Chelsea offers naming rights to Stamford Bridge
Premier League side Chelsea is considering selling the naming rights to its Stamford Bridge stadium in a bid to compete financially with Europe’s top sides.
The club says it is looking for a “blue chip” brand for a long-term partnership of up to 10 years.
The plan was announced by recently appointed chief executive Ron Gourlay, who insisted that the Stamford Bridge name will be retained alongside any sponsor’s.
Gourlay, a former Umbro marketing director, says that because of the restrictions in increasing the stadium’s capacity the club needs to be “creative and look at our sponsorship architecture and see if we can create new value and new opportunities that keeps us competitive”.
Possible stadium partners include Samsung, the club’s shirt sponsor and Etihad Airways, Chelsea’s airline partner.
Other Premier League clubs that already have stadium partners include Arsenal, which plays at the Emirates.
The news comes in the same week that Newcastle United announced its home ground will be named after owner Mike Ashley retail chain until the end of the season. The club hopes changing the stadium’s name to sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park will “showcase” it to potential sponsors.
