£10m-a-year West Ham United deal under threat on Thursday amid Premier League development
West Ham United’s partnership with Betway is under threat as Premier League clubs get set to vote on a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsors, reports the Daily Mail.
At present, eight top-flight clubs have betting companies as their main shirt sponsor, with the Hammers’ £10million year agreement the most lucrative.
The Daily Mail report that all 20 Premier League clubs are set to vote on the matter on Thursday (13 April), with the ban set to be implemented at the start of the 2026/27 season.
It’s believed a compromise will be made to allow betting firms to remain as sleeve sponsors with gambling firms paying more than any other sponsors.
No surprise
It’s no surprise to see this vote emerge. The issues surrounding gambling and its advertisement have long been debated and it’s easy to see why there’s a clamour to reduce the amount of visible sponsorship. From the Hammers’ perspective, it’s unlikely they will be able to replicate a similar deal with their next front-of-shirt sponsor, but it’s something all Premier League clubs will have to contend with.
Furthermore, due to the 2026/27 implementation, there’s plenty of time for the board to assess its options and seal another lucrative deal elsewhere. Despite the disappointment on the field this season, the running of the club has been largely impressive.
The move to the London Stadium has proven to be a commercial success for West Ham, which has allowed for more money to be spent on the pitch. With astute business people at the top of the club, there should be no concerns when it comes to the Irons’ future sponsorship agreements.