Supporters of Everton have been reacting to the latest news on the club’s kit sponsorship following the announcement on the deal with SportPesa.
On Sunday, the Toffees announced that their partnership with SportPesa was to end ahead of schedule (per Everton), which has then led to ‘early interest’ from brands wanting to become the new shirt sponsor (per Liverpool Echo), but fans believe they already know which company it will be.
BREAKING.
Everton receive early interest to become new shirt sponsor as Sport Pesa release statement.
Via @philkecho.https://t.co/OQ9ayfSOdL
— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) February 17, 2020
Interesting that no ongoing link with them, unlike with Chang. Right to get rid of a gambling partner, especially one which has a dubious relationship in its home country.
— Richard (@Mr_C_78) February 17, 2020
Bet they have……. pic.twitter.com/MWBI4yWQZA
— James Danson® (@james_danson) February 17, 2020
Megafon or Usm if I was putting bet on ???
— thomas ‘DOC’ o dowd (@thurlestoffee) February 17, 2020
Do you believe the end of the partnership with SportPesa is a sign of more money from USM or MegaFon?Yes, it is too much of a coincidenceNo, it is all just a coincidence sadly
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The Toffees began their link with the African betting company in 2017 and the sponsorship was reportedly worth £9.6 million per year and had two years left to run, however, it will now finish at the end of this season (via Liverpool Echo).
The company which Everton fans are predicting to take SportPesa’s place is either USM or MegaFon – two companies owned by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who has previously signalled his intent with the Toffees (per The Financial Times).
Overstating the interest in companies sponsoring us so uncle Alisher can pay well over the odds and get away with it! It will be Megafon and/or USM.
— Scotto ?? (@1878Scotto) February 17, 2020
Club announce that USM have paid 10 million to be preferential bidder
— michael temple (@sturdy8) February 17, 2020
Proper journalists at the Echo? sounds as vague as one of charles Stevenson’s scoops
— Alexander Wallis (@AAWallis) February 17, 2020
What do we think?
While many Everton fans are assuming that the announcement on SportPesa means that more of Usmanov’s money is set to enter the club, it is perhaps better to wait for an official announcement rather than jumping to conclusions.
However, with Usmanov having already stated his intent and agreed a recent naming rights deal worth £30 million with USM (per Everton), perhaps further funds are not all too far away.