StaffThe Nerazzurri have had little luck in both league and Europe since their historic treble-winning season of 2009-10. Over the past season, they have spent vehemently to build a squad for manager Antonio Conte – a venture that saw them almost stop Juventus from winning their ninth consecutive Serie A title and reach the finals of UEFA Europa League. This season is tipped to be the climax of Conte’s reign at the club as a major silverware is imperative. We look at their sponsors for the season.
Nike – Nike has been the official technical partner of Inter since 1998, when it replaced Umbro as the official kit supplier of the Nerazzurri. When Inter last signed an extension with Nike, it was assumed to be worth US$26.7 million annually, running until June 2024. However, that has not been the case. In fact, the revenue Nike pays to Inter has been directly dependent on the club’s on-the-pitch performances, and since Inter have been fairly mediocre in the past few years, the projected revenue has been significantly lower than what was projected. For the 2017-18 season, Nike paid Inter US$5.10 million. Subsequently, last year Inter announced they had taken back the retail and licensing rights from Nike, giving them more control on the sales and revenue. The current estimates suggest Nike pays Inter somewhere around US$11.87 million annually. With four years remaining on their contract, Inter are already rumoured to be in the market for a new kit supplier post 2024. Adidas are famously linked with the club, who recently left Inter’s archrivals AC Milan two years ago.
Pirelli – Milan-headquartered Italian tyre manufacturing giant Pirelli has been the principal sponsor of Inter since 1995. However, this is the last season we’re going to be able to see the iconic ‘Pirelli’ logo emblazoned across the front of Inter’s kits, as the two parties have decided to part ways. As things stand, Pirelli pays Inter a steady US$14.25 million annually and Inter’s owner, the Suning Group, hopes to rope in a new principal sponsor that could bring in around US$30m-US$35m in revenue – on par with the principal sponsorship deals of other big clubs around Europe.
Suning – Privately-held Chinese company Suning Holdings Group acquired a majority stake in Inter for €270 million (currently US$320.53 million) in 2016. It has enjoyed a formidable branding presence across Inter’s assets ever since. As part of the takeover, Suning acquired naming rights for Inter’s training ground, which is thusly called Centro Sportivo Suning in memoria di Angelo Moratti (Suning Training Centre in memory of Angelo Moratti). Suning’s e-commerce site, Suning.com, has a training kit sponsorship deal with inter worth US$19m per year, which sees Suning.com’s logo appear at the front of Inter’s training kits.
Lenovo – Hong Kong-based tech company Lenovo signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Inter in July last year. As per the agreement, Lenovo supplies its products to bolster Inter’s technological resources, and enjoys a branding presence across Inter’s physical and digital assets. The Lenovo logo can also be seen at the back of Inter’s training kits.
EA Sports – EA Sports signed an exclusive video game partnership deal with Inter in August earlier this year ahead of the release of FIFA 21. The deal sees EA hold exclusive rights to feature Inter’s licensing; that includes real-life likeness of players, kits and stadium, in its annual FIFA release, meaning Inter doesn’t feature in FIFA’s rival game series, Pro Evolution Soccer. EA Sports also holds branding rights across the club’s physical and digital assets.
Acronis – Swiss tech company Acronis signed a multi-year deal with Inter in July last year. As per the deal, Acronis provides data protection services for Inter’s digital infrastructure, and holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Hugo Boss – German luxury fashion brand Hugo became the official fashion partner of Inter in a two-year deal last September. As per the deal, Hugo Boss provides technical and formal outfits for Inter’s players and staff. It also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Crédit Agricole – French financial institution Crédit Agricole became the official bank of Inter in a three-year deal in July 2018. As per the deal, Crédit Agricole provides fan engagement opportunities and holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Volvo – Swedish automotive brand Volvo is an official partner of Inter since 2007. Earlier in September, the two renewed their partnership that would see Volvo continue to supply Inter with cars, including its new flagship model, the XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid. Volvo also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Sky – Broadcasting and telecom giant Sky serves as an official media partner of Inter. The deal grants Sky exclusive rights to broadcast Inter-based content. Sky also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
DAZN – Global over-the-top sports platform DAZN signed a distribution agreement with Inter last September. As per the deal, Inter’s in-house subscription-based service, Inter TV, forms part of DAZN’s Italian offering, giving DAZN’s subscribers complete access to Inter TV’s exclusive club-based content. DAZN also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
StarCasinò.sport – Last month, Italian sports entertainment platform StarCasinò.sport became the official infotainment partner of Inter. As per the deal, StarCasinò.sport works with Inter to create exclusive club-themed content and holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Manpower Group – American workforce solutions company Manpower Group is an official partner of Inter since 2016. As per the deal, the company extends its services to the club and holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets. The two parties last extended their partnership in a three-year agreement in October last year.
Snaipay – Snaipay is a platform for resale of value-added services. It was announced as the official Value-Added Services Partner of Inter in a two-year deal earlier this year in August. The deal sees Snaipay offer hospitality packages to club fans and hold branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Locauto Group – Italian car rental service provider Locauto serves as the official Rent-a-Car partner of Inter. As per the deal, Locauto offers exclusive discounts on its cars for Inter fans and club members. It also supports the club’s “Stop Racism” campaign. The deal also grants Locauto branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Frecciarossa – Italian high-speed train Frecciarossa serves as the official train of Inter. The deal grants Frecciarossa branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Cashback World – Operated by Austrian multi-level company Lyoness, Cashback World is an international shopping community where customers receive 5% cashback on their purchase through Cashback cards along with free Shopping Points without any obligation. In January 2018, Inter announced a partnership with Cashback World that would see the two unveil the Inter Cashback Program, where Cashback World would offer its customers and Inter fans club-themed cards through which they could avail Cashback’s exclusive benefits. The deal also grants Cashback World branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Nilox – Sports technology brand Nilox became Inter’s official electric mobility partner in 2017. The deal sees Nilox supply the club’s players with its range of eco-friendly products and hold branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets. Earlier this year in September, the two parties extended their partnership in a two-year agreement.
Linkem – Italian telecom giant Linkem became the official Connecting Partner of Inter In August last year. The deal grants Linkem branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
A2A Energia – Brescia-based renewable energy, electricity, gas, integrated water supply, and waste management services provider A2A Energia became the official energy partner of Inter last year in October. Inter announced the deal jointly alongside AC Milan who also roped in A2A in the same capacity. The deal grants A2A branding rights across Inter’s digital and physical assets, with an aim to promote renewable energy sources for a sustainable environment.
Carimi – Italian electrical installations and technology company Carimi became the official electrical partner of Inter earlier this year in January. The deal grants Carimi branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
RDS – Italian radio station RDS became the official radio of Inter in August 2018. The deal grants RDS branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
SDY Sports – Last month, Asian betting operator SDY Sports was announced as Inter’s ‘Official Asian Online Gaming Partner’ in a two-year regional partnership. The deal grants SDY Sports branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
China Everbright Bank – China Everbright Bank (CEB) became a regional partner of Inter in July last year. The deal sees the two parties offer a co-branded credit card for the Chinese people. CEB also holds branding rights across Inter’s digital and physical assets.
Monalisa Tiles – Chinese tiles manufacturer Monalisa Tiles became an official regional partner of Inter in June 2018. The deal grants Monalisa branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Midea – Foshan-headquartered Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer Midea also serves as a regional partner to Inter. The deal grants Midea branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Gatorade – American isotonic sports drink brand Gatorade is the official sports drink partner of Inter since 2018. The deal sees Gatorade products made available at San Siro and Inter’s training ground. Gatorade also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
La Molisana – Campobasso-based pasta brand La Molisana was announced as the official pasta supplier of Inter in a two-year deal in October last year. The deal sees La Molisana provide its wide range of Pasta across Inter’s locales and hold branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Fratelli Beretta – Italian meat processing business Fratelli Beretta serves as an official supplier to Inter since February 2019. The deal sees Beretta products made available inside the San Siro (Inter’s home ground). Beretta also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Gattinoni – Italian travel agency Gattinoni serves as an official supplier to Inter since March 2018. The deal sees Gattinoni provide its services for the club’s travels throughout the season. It also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Technogym – Cesena-based technological fitness products manufacturer and supplier Technogym is an official supplier of Inter for over 20 years. The deal sees Technogym supply its range of latest products to Inter’s training centre. It also holds branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Sixtus Italia – Italian pharmaceutical company Sixtus Italia also serves as an official supplier to Inter. The deal sees the company supply its products to the club and hold branding rights across the club’s digital and physical assets.
Written By
Anshuman Joshi
