Reportedly, Inter has reached a deal with Swedish betting company, Betsson, to become Inter’s main jersey sponsor from the 2024-2025 season onwards.
According to Italian outlet FCInter1908, a 5-year deal has been reached between Inter and Betsson. The Swedish betting giants have recently begun to invest heavily in the Italian market. They are set to launch a new platform, “Betsson Sport” with Italian football legend Francesco Totti as a brand ambassador.
The figures of the deal, according to the source, are expected to be a 5-year deal worth €30M + bonuses per year. This is a significant step up from Inter’s current deal with Paramount+, which earns the Nerazzurri €20M/year.
FCInter1908 continues to explain that due to laws in Italy that prohibit sponsorships strictly linked to betting, “Betsson” will not be the brand displayed on the Inter shirts. Instead, Betsson’s ‘infotainment’ brand, StarCasinò Sport, is expected to be the company displayed on Inter’s shirts for the next five years. StarCasinò Sport is already a prevalent name in Italian football, as they are the main jersey sponsor for numerous clubs in Serie B and C, the official VAR sponsor of Serie B and a partner of AS Roma- as well as representing AC Milan and Napoli in the past.
It is worth noting that Inter was previously in talks with Qatar Airways to become the new shirt sponsor. Qatar Airways became the official airway sponsor of Inter this past year and was in the running for main shirt sponsor as well. FCInter1908 has revealed that the company offered Inter €16-18M per season, which is a tremendous step down from what Inter has secured with Betsson.
The extra 10M+ per year is helpful for Inter meeting its annual budget. Could be the difference between having to sell a promising player (e.g., Casadei) or being able to keep him.
I guess this is kudos for Antonelli!
Honestly, I don’t feel as good about this deal.
Yes, an increase of 50% on shirt sponsor fees is important. But given the whole furore this season about players getting banned for getting involved with compulsive betting, not to mention the literal law in Italy that outlaws betting companies from sponsoring sports teams that this move is side-skirting, this feels like a tone deaf play.
But I guess that’s why I’m not the CEO of a sporting club.