DUBAI FOOTBALL club Al Wasl FC, currently managed by Diego Maradona, has announced a two-year sponsorship deal with Swiss watchmaker Hublot.
“This is a very valuable partnership for us and it is in line with deals that Hublot has with other clubs like Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Ajax,” said Al Wasl chairman Marwan Bin Byat.
Frontloaded values Hublot’s contribution to Al Wasl, which represents the brand’s first venture into the Middle East region, less than its European deals at between $500,000 and $1m per year.
Coupled with its high-profile football team sponsorships, Hublot signed a deal with FIFA in 2010 to become the official timekeeper of the World Cup in South Africa that year and the Brazil World Cup in 2014.
Hublot also maintains a strong presence in the world of motorsports as the official timekeeper of Formula One and team Ferrari.
Meanwhile, club manager Maradona was also the subject of a sponsorship deal this week. The Argentine will wear the logo of Dubai-based conglomerate Saif Belhasa Group at all games and press conferences throughout his tenure at the helm of Al Wasl.
Frontloaded estimates the brand, also a club sponsor of Al Wasl, will pay Maradona a low six-figure sum each year.
By Luke Harman
luke.harman@sportbusiness.com