UK bookies Coral have inked a landmark sponsorship deal with English Premier League side Norwich City.
In what may prove one of its last acts as an independent entity before the planned merger of Gala Coral Group and Ladbrokes, Coral has signed on as official betting partner of Norwich City FC. The deal was brokered by sports marketers BD Sports Rights, which owns the BD Stadia betting service in Norwich’s Carrow Road venue.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the relationship is expected to last at least two years. Coral inked an official European betting partnership with Premier Leaguers Everton last year.
The deal marks a first for Norwich City, in that it has never before sold the rights to name the Barclay Stand at Carrow Road. Coral’s logo will adorn both front and back of the 6,000-seat stand and the area will now be officially known as ‘the Barclay Stand sponsored by Coral.’
The upcoming 2015-16 EPL campaign will mark the Canaries’ return to the big league after enduring relegation following their disastrous 2013-14 performance. Club CEO David McNally claimed to be “delighted” to be celebrating a return to the show with a new major betting partnership in hand, particularly with a brand that would “honor and celebrate the heritage of the Barclay with us in such a positive way.”
Coral brand director Matt Prevost was equally effusive, saying it was “fantastic” to see a club “with such rich heritage” returning to the EPL. Prevost promised Canaries’ fans would enjoy “some excellent betting offers both online, on mobile, in-shop and through our instadia betting kiosks.”
