Chelsea are reportedly set to agree a deal with casino company Stake to become the new club sponsor. The current deal with mobile phone giants Three ends at the end of June.
The Blues have been in limbo over their main shirt sponsor for months after it was made apparent that extending their agreement with Three was not going to be an option. This will now be the first sponsorship change under the new ownership after they took over the club with one year left to run on the deal with Three.
It was written on Thursday by Sports Business that Stake had emerged as the new favourites to become the main sponsor after a last minute deal in the crypto sector collapsed. Having entered the final month without a new sponsor, Chelsea have now seemingly agreed to a one-year partnership with Stake.
The gambling company also sponsor Everton and reportedly pay around £40million per year to feature as the face of the club. Chelsea received around £120million from Three per season after they were announced as replacing Yokohama in 2020. The company had been immensely popular for their interaction and engagement with the club but then became widely opposed after suspending their sponsorship following the imposed sanctions on the club from the UK government last year.
Three wished to avoid being linked with Roman Abramovich, who allegedly had his own ties to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and their decision caused widespread backlash from supporters that felt the club's sponsor were abandoning them.
Since then work has been put in to secure a new, major sponsor. German financial giants Allianz had been in the running but reportedly offered much less than Stake. After Chelsea failed to qualify for the Champions League it appears to be the first signs of trouble being caused from their off-field drop-off.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe contact, Pochettino fire sale
Now, with the Stake deal only being a 12 month contract, Chelsea will have to focus on finding a longer-term replacement. With rules being implemented from the end of the 2025/26 season against gambling based sponsors, Chelsea's choice raises major questions.
The club's foundation embarked on a gambling harm and awareness scheme in school as early as November last year with scholars visiting institutions around the club. Initial reactions to the agreement from fans has been extremely negative, posing as a major obstacle for Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital heading into the summer.
READ NEXT :
Mauricio Pochettino has already revealed Kai Havertz transfer answer amid Chelsea mission
Chelsea make key decision on five players amid stunning £68m transfer proposal
