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Today Liverpool announced that Western Union would become the club’s first ever official sleeve sponsor. The deal is reportedly worth £25 million over five years. And honestly, if Western Union is going to ruin our kits for the next five years, FSG could have at least squeezed them for a bit more cash.
LFC's new left sleeve. Worth an estimated £25m pound over five years. pic.twitter.com/2pjHVY9mxE
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) August 9, 2017
It is not a good look.
While Fenway Sports Group can certainly be commended for expanding investment opportunities and reinvesting that money into Anfield expansion, this comes off as more than a bit cringeworthy.
For those of you lucky enough to get your 2017/18 kits prior to this announcement, the club is happy to announce that a free Western Union patch is available upon request. Grand.
Before going full ETW, it is worth noting that second and third shirt sponsors are not uncommon in other leagues, even for the biggest clubs. FSG clearly saw an opportunity for further investment, and took it. And if those £5 million a year are reinvested in a way—such as toward wages for existing players (looks toward a certain pug-loving Brazilian)—it could be a slight edge that helps keep the club on its current upward trajectory.
At least it’s not Energy Drink.