Update: Just before their home match against AC Milan, Roma have shared images of tonight's kit, and it features 'SQPR' on the front instead of DigitalBits. We expect this to be the case for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
Original: AS Roma have decided to suspend their sponsorship deal with DigitalBits before their clash against AC Milan, according to various reports from Italy.
DigitalBits Fail to Pay, Deal Ended Early - Roma to Have SPQR Logo on Kits Against Milan Already?
The decision of AS Roma to remove the DigitalBits logo comes after DigitalBits reportedly failed to make a payment that was due by March 31, as stated in their original agreement with the Italian club. This is reported by the Italian journalist Filippo Biafora of Il Tempo.
DigitalBits had only started their sponsorship deal with Roma in the 2021-22 season, not even lasting a full two years.
Roma have also requested Lega Serie A to allow the team to display SPQR on the front of players’ kits during Saturday's match against Milan. SPQR, which stands for "Senatus Populusque Romanus," meaning "The Senate and the People of Rome," has been a symbol of Rome since ancient times and is widely associated with the city.
Roma already had the SPQR logo on their kits in 2016 for a special derby edition. We have created a mock-up of how the Roma SPQR 2022-2023 kit could look.
It is also possible that Roma will have no sponsor logo at all on the front of their kits.
The sponsorship dispute has come at a critical time for Roma, as the team is currently fighting for a top-four spot in Serie A and a place in next season's Champions League.
It remains to be seen whether the suspension of the sponsorship deal will be temporary or permanent, but Roma's decision to remove DigitalBits from their kits sends a clear message about the importance of honoring contractual obligations.
AS Roma to Leave DigitalBits During Season - KEY FACTS:
- AS Roma has suspended its sponsorship deal with DigitalBits ahead of their match against Milan.
- DigitalBits reportedly failed to make a payment that was due by March 31.
- Roma has requested Lega Serie A to allow them to display SPQR on the front of players’ kits instead of DigitalBits’ logo.
What are your thoughts on Roma reintroducing the SPQR lettering on their jerseys? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments section.