Stuttgart football club VfB Stuttgart ends partnership with gambling provider Winamax, forfeiting an annual revenue of 8 million euros - Reason behind the split revealed.
VfB Stuttgart Ends Partnership with Winamax Amidst Legal Disputes
VfB Stuttgart has prematurely ended its cooperation with sports betting provider Winamax due to legal disputes, as Stuttgart has lodged legal proceedings against Winamax regarding their former shirt sponsorship relationship [1][3]. While specific contract or dispute details are not fully disclosed, this legal action indicates significant disagreement leading to the termination.
Despite the termination, the Winamax logo will still be promoted on VfB Stuttgart's jersey for the rest of this season. However, the exit from Winamax could be a move to attract more lucrative sponsors, given VfB Stuttgart's expected participation in the Champions League for the first time in 15 years this year [2].
Regarding seeking more lucrative sponsorship deals, there is no direct statement in the search results confirming Stuttgart’s pursuit of higher-paying sponsors. However, given the context of ending a partnership that led to legal action and the general trend among Bundesliga clubs to secure more valuable deals, it is reasonable to infer that Stuttgart may aim to find more advantageous sponsorship agreements in the future [3]. The German Bundesliga market continues to see new sponsors and contract renewals, suggesting active commercial dynamics in which Stuttgart could participate [3].
In a surprising turn of events, VfB Stuttgart has announced a partnership with the crypto casino Lucky Block, which will be promoted on the Asian market [4]. However, it is important to note that Lucky Block is not legal in Germany, so VfB must ensure the partnership is only communicated in the Asian region to comply with local regulations.
The reasons behind VfB Stuttgart's decision to terminate the sponsorship deal with Winamax are speculative. Some sources suggest that pressure from investors, such as Porsche, may have played a role [5]. The termination of the sponsorship deal was reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung [6].
Alexander Wehrle, chairman of the board of VfB Stuttgart, did not cite any reasons for the decision at the member assembly [7]. The reasons for VfB Stuttgart's departure from Winamax could be linked to pressure from investors Porsche [8]. It remains to be seen whether potential sponsors would pay more for the space on the jersey than Winamax [1].
The exit from Winamax was generally welcomed by commenting fans on Reddit [9]. However, the decision has faced criticism due to the club's involvement with gambling sponsors [10].
In conclusion, VfB Stuttgart's decision to terminate its partnership with Winamax has set the stage for potential changes in their sponsorship landscape. While the reasons for the termination remain unclear, the club's participation in the Champions League and the active commercial dynamics of the Bundesliga suggest that Stuttgart may be seeking more lucrative sponsorship deals. The partnership with Lucky Block, while only applicable in the Asian market, further indicates a shift in the club's sponsorship strategy.
[1] Süddeutsche Zeitung [2] Sport1 [3] Transfermarkt [4] CryptoNewsZ [5] BILD [6] Süddeutsche Zeitung [7] Sport1 [8] BILD [9] Reddit [10] BILD
- VfB Stuttgart's termination of its partnership with Winamax, despite the continuation of the logo on jerseys for the rest of the season, might signal a move to secure more lucrative sponsors, such as those in the online casinos sector in Germany, given the club's expected participation in the Champions League and the actively competitive sponsorship market in the Bundesliga.
- With the terminated partnership with Winamax, VfB Stuttgart might look towards new sponsorship opportunities, such as sports-betting companies or finance-oriented businesses, to maximize the value of the space on their jersey.
- Though VfB Stuttgart's new partnership with the crypto casino Lucky Block is limited to the Asian market due to its illegality in Germany, it represents a strategic shift in the club's sponsorship strategy – one that seeks innovative partners in the online gaming industry, such as sports-betting or casino platforms.
