Crystal Palace has decided to get rid of online gaming company W88 as a sponsor on the front of its shirts right away.
The decision to sever sponsorship links with W88 comes as the UK gaming sector prepares to publish a white paper that is anticipated to advocate a change in sponsorship in sports. There was no hint in the club’s announcement that the impending suspension influenced the decision to seek a new sponsor.
Presently, nine of the twenty clubs in the English Premier League have a gaming corporation as their front-shirt sponsor. As a result of Crystal Palace’s statement, this number will now be reduced to eight, and it may decrease further before the Premier League season begins in August.
The club also said it would replace W88 with a new partnership with online car seller Cinch. Cinch will be the official sponsor of the club’s training gear and the front-of-shirt sponsor for both the men’s and women’s teams.
Barry Webber, Commercial Director of Crystal Palace, commented on the new deal:
“Cinch is a well-established, family-friendly, and immediately recognizable brand across the uk and beyond, and this monumental partnership is yet another statement of progress at the club, on and off the field.
It’s exciting to start our partnership now, as we enter our 10th consecutive season in the premier league with a team full of international talent.”
Cinch’s owner, Avril Palmer-Baunack, Chair of Constellation Automotive Group, added:
Next season, we’re looking forward to working with the teams, fans, and local community, and we have high hopes that the club will win it all.
Featured Image Credit: Crystal Palace on Twitter