The European Handball Federation has agreed a four-year supplier partnership with Swedish sportswear company Salming Sports.
The deal names Salming as the official sports outfitter of the EHF Champions League and EHF Cup club competitions. The agreement will run until the end of the 2019-20 season.
As part of the deal, Salming will develop an official merchandising range for the Champions League. The range will be launched later in the 2016-17 season, which got underway earlier this month.
The range will grow to include a Champions League-branded line and specially-developed products for the Final 4 stage of the men’s and women’s competition. Fans will be able to buy the products, which will be on show throughout the season, online for the first time.
Salming will also provide kit for referees during games in the Champions League and the EHF Cup, and during EHF Euro national team events, under a parallel deal that will also run through to 2019-20.
Salming will receive extensive brand exposure during Champions League and EHF Cup games through LED advertising boards. The company will also be promoted during television broadcasts and through the EHF’s online properties.
In addition, Salming will benefit from corporate hospitality packages. The deal was struck by the federation’s marketing arm, EHF Marketing.
“The choice of Salming as a partner is a strategic one,” David Szlezak, managing director at EHF Marketing, said. “Salming is a young and dynamic handball brand, with fresh ideas, great products and a new approach to the market.
“We are excited about this cooperation and where this is going to lead over the next four years. Offering an EHF Champions League branded merchandising line is another step into the future of our premium competitions.”