KUALA LUMPUR – Is Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in talks with Chelsea FC over a multi-million dollar main shirt sponsor deal?
According to international media reports and sponsorship expert Łukasz Bączekt, MAS is one of the brands that the former English champions could approach, citing the airline’s previous collaboration with rivals Liverpool FC as part of its global partnership between 2016 to 2019.
Currently, negotiations are on with Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air, but according to reports, its lack of qualification for European cups – especially the UEFA Champions League – makes negotiating difficult.
In addition to Riyadh Air, Chelsea is also in talks with Bank of America, a long-time corporate partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.
The expected £60 million-a-year (RM360 million) contract with Riyadh Air is impossible to achieve without qualification for the Champions League. The deal will also be subject to new fair market value rules set by the English Premier League.
The current deal with Infinite Athlete, valued at £43 million (RM258 million) per year, has been slightly cut by the EPL authorities.
At the same time, the club’s agreement with Oman Air as the official airline and global partner was prematurely terminated last month.
This decision was taken by Oman Air’s new management and had no influence on the talks with Riyadh Air and MAS.
Jordan Brand has also been suspended until the end of the season, according to Łukasz Bączek.
Scoop has contacted MAS on the matter and is currently awaiting a response. – March 12, 2024