A NEW Tottenham sponsorship deal worth £42.5m has been blocked by South African lawmakers in a huge blow to the club.
The Spurs hierarchy, including chairman Daniel Levy, were looking to boost club revenue by bringing in a big money deal.
The proposed agreement with South Africa’s tourism board would have included matchday advertising, kit and interview backdrop branding and even training camps in the country, according to the Telegraph.
But South Africa’s parliament slapped down the “insulting” agreement amid the country’s painful economic situation.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson said he “did not think spending so much money in the manner that is being suggested will be justified.”
While the idea also faced criticism from tourism chair Tandi Mahambehlala.
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She said: “This deal, it ends here, today, now, because there is everything wrong about the deal itself… there must be an investigation on this matter with immediate effect.”
But tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu distanced themselves from the deal.
She said: “I am not aware that any agreement has been signed with Tottenham Hotspur. That would only happen after agreements from the Treasury. So we do not have a deal, as far as government is concerned.”
The opposition Democratic Alliance said the deal was an “insult” and “money should rather be spent locally to improve our tourism sector so that it can thrive.”
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Tottenham are looking for revenue-boosting sponsorship deals to give the club more financial flexibility in the transfer market.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte has previously grumbled about the club’s spending power.
The club still haven’t agreed a new naming rights deal for their stadium despite the £1bn ground opening in 2019.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
