English Premier League club Southampton are set to lose their record shirt sponsor, Chinese company LD Sports. This is reported by Daily Mail.
Southampton and LD Sports signed a three-year deal worth £7.5million / year, a club record for the Saints. LD Sports deal replaced Virgin Media’s £6million-a-year deal.
Southampton FC To Lose Chinese Main Sponsor LD Sports Because Of Political Friction Between China and UK?
According to a report from the Mail on Sunday, the Chinese company LD Sports "are prepared to pull out of the deal two years early, sighting increasing political friction between China and the UK as well as ongoing implications of COVID-19".
Southampton 20-21 Home, Third & Goalkeeper Kits Released
Southampton 20-21 Home, Third & Goalkeeper Kits Released
Club officials are said to be already working to find a new sponsor before the season commences with the club standing to lose a significant amount of income.
Southampton launched their kits in July. Now the club could be forced to re-release the shirt should sponsorship change. If that is to be the case, Mail on Sunday report the club will work with fans who have already purchased the shirt to find a suitable remedy.
At least one another Premier League club could also lose their Chinese sponsor this summer
Championship club Blackburn Rovers recently also confirmed the termination of their own Chinese-based sponsorship deal with 10 BET. The Mail on Sunday understands "at least one other Premier League with a Chinese sponsor, is facing the same nightmare situation ahead of the new season".
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