Tottenham in record shirt sponsorship deal

LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur have landed a mega shirt sponsorship deal as Internet casino group Mansion signed a £34 million agreement with the fifth-placed club in last season’s Premiership. Spurs were dramatically defeated on the last day of the Premiership by West Ham as 10 players went down with an inexplicable case of food poisoning. They lost the game and with that the fourth place to Arsenal.

The new shirt deal becomes effective from July 1 when the deal with current sponsors Thomson expires. “Tottenham has made progress both on and off the pitch in recent years. It has put the club in a good position to improve its commercial partnerships and the new agreement marks a significant uplift,” said Daniel Levy, the chairman of Spurs. The four-year deal with Mansion is being hailed as the best thing to happen to the club. Mansion was launched only in September 2004 and hit the headlines when it was rebuffed by Manchester United who ultimately went with insurance company AIG.

It was reported that the Red Devils were uneasy about being linked so openly with a gaming company. But Tottenham has not voiced any such concerns. “Mansion will partner Tottenham Hotspurs across a wide range of commercial activities including the extension and expansion of the club’s brand into key territories across Asia and other important international markets … and other special commercial projects that may be of mutual interest and benefit to both Tottenham Hotspurs and Mansion,” said a joint statement issued by Spurs and Mansion.

David Kinsmann, chief operating officer of Mansion said that the company was keen to sign on with a major Premiership club this season and Tottenham fitted them perfectly. “Spurs have enjoyed an excellent season, with European football to look forward to next year,” he added.