By Martin Graham | twentieth Feb 2025
Ineos is at the moment in negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur concerning an early termination of their sponsorship settlement. The British petrochemical big, which co-owns Manchester United, initially partnered with Spurs in 2020 because the membership’s official hand sanitizer provider throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
In December 2022, the corporate expanded its involvement by securing a multi-year settlement to turn into Tottenham’s official 4×4 automobile associate. Nevertheless, sources point out that an possibility exists to conclude the contract on the finish of the present season, and discussions – described as “amicable” – are ongoing.
The partnership started earlier than Ineos acquired a 27.7% share of Manchester United for $1.6 billion (£1.25 billion) in February 2024. For the reason that deal, the Ineos Grenadier emblem has been prominently displayed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, together with on dugout seat headrests. Moreover, Spurs gamers equivalent to Dominic Solanke and Ben Davies have featured in promotional content material for the automobile.
Each Ineos and Tottenham have opted to not touch upon the matter.
Latest sponsorship withdrawals
This growth follows Ineos’ determination to prematurely finish its sponsorship settlement with New Zealand Rugby (NZR). The corporate attributed the transfer to “cost-saving measures” throughout its operations, a choice that has led to authorized motion from the rugby governing physique.
Final month, Ineos additionally ended its affiliation with four-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie, withdrawing monetary assist from the Britannia America’s Cup crusing crew after backing it since 2018.
Value-cutting at Manchester United
In the meantime, Ineos’ co-owner and chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is reportedly contemplating further employees reductions at Manchester United. The corporate has already applied cuts on the membership, together with 250 redundancies, eradicating Sir Alex Ferguson from his position as a paid ambassador, and discontinuing complimentary journey for employees attending finals.
These latest strikes replicate a broader technique by Ineos to cut back bills throughout numerous enterprise ventures.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author
