(On the left is chairman of Kazer Chiefs, Kaizer Motaung and on the right is chairman of Orlando Pirates, Dr Ivan Khoza at the launch of the Carling Black Label Cup.www.soccerladuma.com) |
Six days back, Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs FC both sponsored by Carling Black Label locked horns in the second edition of the Carling Black Label Cup which Pirates won on penalties (5-4), after a one all draw. The match popularly known as the Soweto Derby proved that sponsorships are becoming a key factor in football clubs enhancing their image, performance and getting their supporters fully behind them.
The match against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs was a sponsorship activity, where supporters where given the opportunity to select the starting line-up for both teams, and it was a success as over 10.5 million votes were casted by football fans. The match was played at FNB stadium and was fully packed. Stadium Management SA released a statement saying, "we are confident that this year's edition will be sold out." (www.mtnfootball.com)
It is a mutual benefit deal
Sponsorship deals between organisations and football clubs are made to benefit both parties involved as the organisation seek to create public awareness, brand loyalty and work on attitudes in order for the public to view them in a positive light. For example, Orlando Pirates are also sponsored by Vodacom, therefor its supporters may see it good to use Vodacom network as its sponsors their favourite team. Clubs on the other hand may benefit in a form of receiving money from their sponsors.
Some South African football teams have had long-lasting relationships with their sponsors. For example, Vodacom and Orlando have been have had a solid sponsorship deal for more than five years. Organisations are aware that they might not benefit directly as clubs do but they expect a return in terms of publicity.
Successful sponsorship deals in South African football
- Orlando Pirates and Vodacom sponship deal
- Kaizer Chiefs and Vodacom sponsorship deal
- Moroka Swallows and Volkswagen sponsorship deal
- Supersport and DSTV sponsorship deal
Sponsorships play a very important role in football. If there wasn't any sponsorships what-so-ever, where would our teams be????
ReplyDeleteit does play a huge role look now our teams can play against best teams in ther world thanks to some sponsors like vodacom we had the vodacom challenge this pre-season it was MTN which brought Man U to play Amazulu and Ajax here in SA
ReplyDeleteYeah:: no sponsorship no good football will be produced..sponsors are playing a huge role and they deserve the credit for keeping mzans's football alive.
ReplyDeleteI have to give a round of appluad for Carling Black Label for coming up with unique idea. Indeed sponsorship has positive impact in South Africas football.Whta need to be done now by other organisations is to provide financial aid in the football development leagues around the country for positive media coverage.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting point one can make is that perhaps the already competitive PSL would be even more competitive if the smaller clubs had the sponsorship deals that the like of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have
ReplyDeleteyou are right KeaRams, they do play an impotant role in modern football but we still get teams that don't have huge sponsorships deals but still perform
ReplyDeleteTsholo, getting big sponsorship deals does not guarantee that a team will perform well on the pitch
ReplyDeleteVongani, i disagree with you on the statement, 'no sponsorship no good football will be produced'. Teams such as Platinum Stars have went without a sponsor before and still produced good football.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lucky, it was also a win-win situation for both teams and their supporters
ReplyDeleteQuincy you are right, but i think sponsors also look at how the deal will benefit them, so they would rather go for bigger teams as they will gain more publicity
ReplyDelete