Fenerbahçe seeks Arab capital sponsorship

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet

The photograph shows a view from Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, located on the Asian side of Istanbul. The Istanbul giant could rename its stadium depending on a sponsorship deal, and the club is currently looking at possible deals with Arab sponsors, according to a report in daily Hürriyet. The deal could also include jersey sponsorship deals, sources say.

Fenerbahçe is looking to increase its income by attracting a sponsor from the Arab peninsula, sources have said.

The club is now especially considering offers from Qatari firms, according to sources. Their sponsorship contract is expected to cover the ads on uniforms, at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium and in its surroundings.

The club expects to earn between 40 million and 50 million dollars in return.

Fenerbahçe authorities have not agreed on the contents of a possible contract yet. One thing that is highly speculated on is whether the name of the club’s stadium, Şükrü Saracoğlu, would be changed or not.

If the contract covers the stadium name, the Arab firm’s name would be attached to the current name of the stadium.

Currently sponsored by Türk Telekom, the club earns annually 5 million euros, which only covers uniform ads. The club now aims at increasing this number by at least six times with a more comprehensive advertising contract. The annual income of the team, which is now about $150 million, is planned to be increased to $200 million, widening the gap with its rivals.

This situation is seen in various examples around the world. Along with many English clubs, Spain’s Barcelona also welcomed Arab capital and obtained a great deal of income in this way. Fenerbahçe, which has negotiated with many firms so far, did not favor some of the offers since the mediators demanded a large share, sources said.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe has denied media stories that it was interested in signing a contract with Atletico Madrid forward Arda Turan.

“The stories that we offered Arda Turah a 7 million-euro contract are untrue,” the club said in a written statement.

The club is not interested in such a transfer, the statement read.

Turan, the former captain of Fenerbahçe’s archrival Galatasaray, moved to the Spanish side in August 2011, enjoying the UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Europa League titles in 2012, along with the Copa del Rey in the 2012-2013 season.