The collapse of West Ham sponsor Alpari UK yesterday could see interest rocket among companies looking to cash in on a final Boleyn season.
There will be massive focus on the Irons on their last season in our legendary stadium and that is a once-in-a-lifetime sponsorship opportunity.
Alpari UK sealed a three year deal in 2013 worth £9m to become the shirt sponsor and rename the West stand to the Alpari stand. They paid the cash in instalments which is standard practise in the football industry and are thought to have around £4m of the £9m sponsorship outstanding.
Once West Ham have agreed to terminate the current sponsorship deal with administrators acting for Alpari it will have a green light to both secure a temporary sponsor for this season plus a permanent sponsor for next season.
The club is keen to avoid a situation like 2008 when a iron on patch covered the XL Holiday logo after they suffered a similar fate.
West Ham are understood to be in advanced discussions with three companies with the possibility of more sponsors coming forward as news of Alpari’s collapse spreads.
Although West Ham have a potential financial black hole of £4m, the summer signings and the success on the field this season coupled with the last season at the Boleyn and the imminent move to Olympic Stadium should drive the price up over and above the price Alpari paid.
Companies may be willing to part with £5m or £6m for the chance to ride the coat tails of our recent successes and if that happens we will make a profit from the demise of Alpari trading.
Or,
The club could leave it with no sponsors name on the front for the final season in homage to the ultimate retro shirts. This could though be covered by charging an extra £10 on the shirts to keep them free of advertising, just for 1 season, what would be the harm.
Not cool benefiting from the demise of another company imo but life goes on I guess
Great piece Sean, I was thinking exactly that when I first heard the news. Its a chance for us to bring in bigger cash than the old deal which always seemed low to me. As for Alpari going bust .. i feel sorry for anyone who lost a job BUT my real concern is West Ham and if its good for West Ham Im a happy man
Nigel/Mywhufc Nice idea but Sorry but this is never gonna happen. You would need to sell 500,000 shirts at £60 each to raise £5m to replace the lost sponsorship. There is a market to sell that many shirts at that price.
Thanks Dainon, of course it is sad when any company goes bust and people lose their jobs. Currency speculation is a risky business and no more than gambling. Maybe our next sponsor will be more sustainable. You know the old saying, once bitten, twice shy!