Football Partnerships

By Alex Kotler

Demolishing symbols of extravagance

Portuguese officials have announced the demolition of Euro 2004 stadia in Aveiro and Leiria, citing a lack of revenue to sustain operating costs.

“It’s very difficult to service debt on something that doesn’t create wealth or represent a public good,” said Augusto Mateus, a former economy minister. Joao Cesar das Neves, an economics professor at Lisbon’s Catholic University, went further by calling the stadia symbols of wasteful spending.

Subsequently, plans to erect a monument to Cristiano Ronaldo in Funchal Madeira have been scrapped.

Learn more about the fate of Portuguese stadia

Shirt deals! Shirt deals!

According to Soccerex Business Daily, English Premier League side Birmingham City have signed a five-year deal with Xtep International Holdings, a Chinese sportswear manufacturer. The club, owned by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, will receive $11.6 million from Xtep, which replaces Umbro as the official kit supplier.

Elsewhere, Dutch Vitesse Arnhem has reportedly signed a new deal with real estate portal Zuka.nl as the club’s main shirt sponsor. The EUR 1 million comes at a crucial time for Vitesse, which is struggling financially.

Slightly more about Vitesse

Where’s the Beef? Atop Arsenal

Arsenal FC of the English Premier League have announced the appointment of Angus Kinnear as Marketing Director. Following a period of internal restructuring, Kinnear will step up from his previous role as Head of Marketing.

More on the organizational structure with the Gunners

Locking horns with the quake

New York Red Bulls defender Seth Stammler is doing his part to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Stammler’s Sporting Chance Foundation is diverting resources, which usually go toward the provision of education and potable water, to assist rescue efforts.

One Red Bull who isn’t taking any

Hammering out a deal

Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan have reportedly purchased a 50% stake in the club, sending Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes home empty handed.

The new owners have pledged to keep manager Gianfranco Zola in place, and intend to hire Karen Brady - also formerly of Birmingham City - as vice chairman.

Most fascinating about the deal is that Fernandes conceded defeat via Twitter.

Read about how the deal was nailed down

By Alan Dawson

Many names have been thrown in the contention ring to become Arsenal’s latest Managing Director.

Karen Brady from Birmingham City and the Premier League’s Richard Scudamore have been touted in the press over the past months, but it appears Arsenal’s pursuit of a new MD will soon be over, if comments from chairman Peter Hill Wood are anything to go by.

Speaking at Arsenal Holdings’ seventh annual general meeting, Hill Wood said: “There has been a lot of speculation about the appointment of a new Managing Director… Our efforts have not been, as described in some newspapers ‘inept’, we have been working hard and we are still working.

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