Sponsoring a football club is one thing, but the following companies have sponsored whole entire leagues.
The most viewed division in the world is the English top division, which many people suggest is the most competitive too; this competitiveness identifies why the league is so prominent in countries on the other side of the world. So not only is the English division the most popular domestic league in Europe, but also the world. Such big appeal makes the league an interesting sponsorship opportunity for the most significant businesses, which is why the Barclays executives have made the judgment to sponsor the league for so many years. Some of the most popular players in the world play in England, so it produces loads of debating points for supporters, meaning the sponsors of the division are likewise spoken about, making it an successful sponsorship opportunity. The league has the largest TV deal in the world, so the teams and everyone concerned receive a cut of the massive pay out from the TV package; the deal is so big because the league has some of the largest European football clubs.
Spanish soccer has been the dominant force for the last ten years or so, and as a result of this their domestic league has been seriously renowned. The top two club clubs in Spain pull in some the biggest crowds and television viewers of any sports clubs. One of the Spanish clubs has been the best team in Europe in terms of the top European division, which is the most observed club cup competition. Spanish football dominance was not restricted just to the team competitions, as the Spanish national team likewise won 3 international championships in a row not too long ago. Being a Spanish bank, it was a natural and beneficial step for the Santander Board to sponsor the Spanish top division. Some people criticise the league for being overly top heavy, where the top three or four clubs are far greater than the rest of the league, however that is unavoidable when the top teams are as excellent as they are.
Italy has been among the most effective national teams ever, and the domestic division is no different. The league has been one of the most watched competitions since soccer started to be televised abroad, and this was specifically true over the 90’s when the division was the most dominant in the world. Having the worlds very best footballers helps to market the division across the world, and with the arrival of debatably the best player of all time, this has never been more relevant. As the league is so watched and prominent it has led the Telecom Italia board to sponsor the league; with such significant viewership, it is an successful way of advertising the company and brand. As the sponsorship is long-term, the company becomes synonymous with the league and makes the brand almost a household name.