Competition´s sponsor rights to be protected in Men’s EHF Champions League

The signing of a major sponsorship deal by the EHF’s marketing company, EHF Marketing GmbH, ahead of the start of the season with a company from the energy sector brought a new premium sponsor to the Men’s EHF Champions League.

The deal includes on-court and perimeter advertising exposure as well as the addition of the company’s logo to the competition’s sleeve advertising.

In the first round of the competition, the two clubs from Poland, PGE Vive Kielce and Orlen Wisla Plock, refused to display the logo of the new sponsor on their shirts.

The EHF Court of Handball subsequently issued a fine to both clubs for failing to fulfil the competition’s advertising regulations.

To resolve this issue, EHF Marketing GmbH negotiated an amicable solution, which it believed would be acceptable to all parties.

Ahead of the third round of matches, this compromise solution – the replacement of the sponsor’s logo with an alternative logo of the competition’s CSR partner on sleeve advertising – was rejected by both clubs, according to information provided by the clubs, due to pressure from their own sponsors.

As a result, the EHF Court of Handball has subsequently opened new legal cases for this breach in the competition’s regulations.

From the start of the negotiations one and a half years ago with the potential partner, EHF Marketing GmbH has worked to protect the best interests of the competition and its clubs.

The deal has brought a significant financial investment from a new sponsor to the sport and, by not exercising the federation’s right to branch exclusivity, clubs have also been able to retain their main sponsors.

The EHF would like to underline its belief that the involvement of individual companies as sponsors of clubs is essential, however they cannot be allowed to unduly influence the successful organisation and playing of a high-profile sports competition such as the EHF Champions League.

The EHF has to make it clear that it is the obligation of EHF Marketing GmbH to protect the rights of the competition’s sponsors and partners and thereby the interests of all 28 participating clubs.

EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH will continue their dialogue with the management of both PGE Vive Kielce and Orlen Wisla Plock with the aim of reaching an acceptable solution to this issue in the interests of both the sport and the competition.

Media contact:

JJ Rowland
Head of EHF Media and Communications
Tel. +43 1 80 151 167
Email: rowland@eurohandball.com