May 12, (THEWILL) – Chelsea has agreed to a £20 million-per-year contract with cryptocurrency firm WhaleFin to become its new sleeve sponsor beginning in the 2022/2023 season, and they are also considering replacing main shirt sponsor Three.
On Thursday, the Blues announced a partnership with the Singapore-based Amber Group, which owns the WhaleFin digital asset platform.
From the start of next season, WhaleFin’s emblem, which features a blue whale design, will cover the sleeves of both the men’s and women’s teams, replacing Hyundai after four years.
Although Chelsea is currently under government sanctions, preventing them from negotiating a deal, the contracts were signed in January, well before owner Roman Abramovich and his prized asset were subjected to the sanctions.
Hyundai halted their sponsorship when the sanctions were announced, yet their logo remained visible on Chelsea’s sleeves due to logistical and supply issues.
Guy Laurence, Chelsea’s chief executive, remarked following the news of the WhaleFin agreement: “This is a hugely exciting partnership for the club, which aligns us with one of the most advanced digital asset companies in the world.
“As Amber Group continue to expand coverage of their platform globally, they will now have the ability to not only speak to the hundreds of millions of loyal Chelsea fans around the globe but also be seen by the billions who tune into the Premier League each season.”
Michael Wu, Amber Group CEO, added: “Our partnership with Chelsea FC is a watershed moment as we embark on the next stage of our growth globally. With the beautiful game’s ability to rally a global audience regardless of culture, language and nationality, we are excited to showcase the full potential of digital assets to an international audience.
“With a storied club history backed by a world-class team, Chelsea FC is a class act that we are proud to partner with, as we bring digitisation and crypto finance to global users. We are thrilled to be associated with one of the best teams in the English Premier League, and we look forward to unlocking new sporting experiences for football fans around the world.”
Chelsea’s first venture into the field of cryptocurrency comes after Liverpool was linked with a similar deal. Manchester United have already announced a relationship with Tezos, a blockchain company whose logo appears on their training apparel.
Three, Chelsea’s main shirt sponsor, is also being considered for replacement. The telco has one year left on its three-year contract with Chelsea, and it is not uncommon for a top team to pursue a more lucrative deal.
It is unclear if Three will be retained for the final year of their deal or will be replaced immediately.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
